Year: 1869

The Troubles of Fault-Finding Writers.
From the Boston Advertiser (Se1aor Summers Organ,


May l.


The Chicago Tribune in recent issue calls atten-
ton to a change which nearly two months eXpe-
public opinion No other administration since the
first had come into power with nrmer hold upon
the confidence OF the country. The good fortune
his Inauguration inspired faith in him, hearty genu
inc and almost universal. His antecedents, and the
assurances OF the few whom he admitted to his
cOunses, gave ample cause for the belief that the
Government was about to be administered upon
sound principles and that his own pure motives
and unsuspected patriotism would be represented in
all parts OF the public service But there has been
change Two months have passed away and it can
not be affirmed that we have q strong administra-
tion. Its moral power has been frittered away
by small absurdities which, fortunately, have no
bearing upon the sincerity, truthfuness, or the high
purpose of the President and his advisers We
doubt if there ever was an administration with more
good intentions at heart or less aptitude for carrying
them into effect"


The Tribune speaks strongly, but no one will sus-
pect of speaking careessy with any other than
loyal purpose. The change to which it calls atten
tion and the manifest causes which made the change
inevitable, have been more widely known and more
earnestly talked about than the President and his
personal advisers will ever be likely to understand.
There always enough to tell the King
the good things the people say about him;
but the friends who are willing to tell him
where he has been mistaken, and what acts Of his
are calculated TO impair his influence and need to be
amended, are unfortunately not so common But
the President himself in the course of his eYentful
and heroic life, has been in dinicut places enough,
and has in his character enough OF genuine chvalry
to know that no better service can be rendered to
him than to point out the errors into which he has
been led, and 10 show the way in which they may be
most speedily and effectively redressed.


1t is unfortunate that the task imposed upon
new administration is to contend with the ravenOus
birds OF prey who look upon the public patron
age as their particular punder and the only ade-
quae reward for party services. II would, perhaps,
should say too them that he could not upon so
delicate task as the reorganization OF the public
service till the hungry brood dispersed and left him
and those who were to be held responsible for the
proper administration of their departments free to
consider the merits of the applicants in connection
with the needs of the service That would have re-
moved the chief difficulty But the situation, dini-
cult at the best was complicated by the manner i'm
which the first important appointments were made
For these the President was alone responsible. He
made them without consultation with any one and
manifestly from a sense Of profound gratitude for
the announcement and aid the gentlemen selected
had given him. We can speak of them with the
greater freedom because we have feeling but re-
spect for them ana hearty appreciation of their
public services To mention but one instance, 1t Is
manifest now that great mistake was committed
when personal friendship was allowed to dictate
the first Cabinet ofiicer who although he was not
expected to enter upon the duties Of the place. took
advantage OF the golden opportunity TO put in motion
the old machinery for the distribution of patronage
which is the scandal OF our service, and which we
firmly believe II was the Presidents Intention to dis
card. How many subsequent mistakes can be traced
to that error we cannot say but the present Secre


ary of State the President himself We're as free to
speak as private citizens are, they would doubtless
verify the wel-authenticated reports which have
been the SUBJECT OF conversation and criticism in all





posed on them


Many OF the appointments which the President
made by ADVICE were not less unfortunate These
were crowded with sheer physical force through the
opening which Mr. MashbuIne left. They were for
the most part OF politicians with local reputation,
endorsed by executive committees and members of
Congress- ana gifted with an infinite capacity for
'dingdonging their claims, as Senator Trum6ull
despairingy called IT, into the ears Of the unhappy
officer who had to answer their demands. The
number OF these Is, perhaps, not larger than would
have successfully run the gauntlet whoever had
been President, while the present pernicious system
in force But It is large enough TO have moderated
| TO some extent the enthusiasm with which the new
administration was launched and to lead many
| thoughtful and observing men for the moment to
| look upon the venture with divided emotions.
1t should, however, be remembered that these and
| all other appointments have been made with the
definite assurance OF the President that he failed
in his first choice ne would not hesitate to make the
second or even the third trial. The time for the
second trial in some cases will soon come and the
President win In no way ortify himself more securely


In the respect and trust OF the people who seek for
nothing but the public welfare than BY carrying this
assurance into enect