The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-08
RIVER AT s A. NJ.
THE WORST POSSIBLE.

Some recent appointments made by
Mr. Mckinley to important public po-
siticns in his gift show his administa-
ton at its worst He has not only
made a complete surrender to the
spoilsmen, he has not only accepted
the dictation of Quay and Plat, but he
has emphazized the shamefulness of his
abdication by appointing unfit men 20
places so conspicuous that all the
world may see what he means, and
brought upon the federal service. Two
cases are especially in point. One is
his appointment of a congressional
librarian selected by Boss Quay with
political service that he had rendered
to the Pennsylvania politician.
If there is any position at Washing
ton where the highest qualifications
should be strictly required it is in this
office. The magnificent new library
building is ready for occupancy. For
years and years the congressional Ii
brary has had the invaluable service
of Mr. Spofford, than whom there are
few men living more competent for SO
eXacting a task. The public is now
told, as a part of the hypocritical pre-
lenses with which this administration
treats the whole question of public ser
vice. that Mr.. Spofford is getting old
and that he must have relief" He is
to have an honorary position which
will amount, they saw, to a virtual re-
tirement from active duties, while his
successor takes the office and emolu-
ments. This means nothing more nor
less than that Mr.. Spofford is to do the
librarians work, because his is the only
man there who can even attempt it.,
while all the subordinate positions will
be looted for the benefit of the Penn
sylvania machine ard it's allies. To
fasten the spoils system upon the
congressional library at the instance of
Matt Quay is about the worst per-
Torrance of which any administration
could be guilty.
Even more significant perhaps, than
this is the appointment of a collector OF
the port at New York city. The Sc
lection made for this office has been for
decades a sort of test of each admins
tration. 1t was because President
Garfield chose his own man for this
post and refused TO accept the dicta-
ton of Mr.. ConkIing, that the two Now
York senator's resigned. and feud
arose within the party that was never
fully healed until both Mr.. Blaine and
Mr.. Conkling We're dead 1t was
thought worth while at that time and
at all times, to face the danger of party
dissension rather than to make this
office the personal gift Of any senator
faction or ring.
We were also told last summer how
entirely free Mr.. Mckinley was from
any connection with Tom Plat. We
heard how Platt would have liked 20
beat him, how Mr.. Mckinley triumpb-
ed in spite Of him and how small q
ASuIt loClI WOuIu CUT LII the new adj
ministration. Since that time Plat has
made himself more odious than ever
before. Under his direction the Iegis-
lature OF New York state has done its
worst and swept civil service reform
cut OF existence as far as the courts or
constitution would permit. He is now
engaged in desperate attempt to sad
die the spells system upon the city gov
eminent Of Greater New York. and is
Matching schemes with Tammany TO
divide the plumber between them. And
just at this time when it means most
to the people Of New York state and
the people of the nation, Mr. Mckinley
names Platt's man, a man with no
other claim. to the post of collector Of
Che port
These two appointments speak vol
unes. They are sufficient evidence of
the utter rout Of the civil service re-