Year: 1877




REWARD FOR POLITICAL SERVICES.


We have heretofore contended that the
political party in power should. as a
political services of its adherents. Such
a policy is by no means inconsistent
with an elevated civil service If par
ty contending for the control of the gov
ernment has not within its own fold suf-
ficient virtue and intelligence to manage
the ship of state amid the dangers which
beset all administrations, it can have very
little claim upon popular confidence.


We were pleased to witness the Pres
ident's approval of this political tenet
in the appointment of his Cabinet. Mr..
Evarts was selected. not only because of
his eminent ability as jurist and
statesman. but because of his very valu-
able political services during the late
Presidential campaign, and his powerful
argument before the electoral commission.
Mr.. Sherman's appointment as Secretary
of the Treasury was suggested in consid-
Grafton of his fitness of the place, his
political services in the Senate, and as
one of commission to Louisiana in the
interest of the Republican party. Mr..
McCrary had been the originator in the
House of the proceedings which resulted
in the selection of the tribunal to which
was referred the questions involved in
the electoral count. His political servi-
ces as a Representative and as an advo-
cate during the campaign attracted the
attention of the President. Hence his
reward. To Mr.. Schurz the President
owed much for his distinguished services
on the stump. The President has now
evidenced his gratitude by now making
him one of his advisers. 1t may be-,
with equal truth, said that the selection
of Mr.. Devens and Mr.. Thompson were
made as rewards for distinguished party
services. The appointment of Mr. Key
was an exception, prompted by consider
ations of party policy having in view
the building up of an arti-Democratic
organization in the South.


The President has followed up his
convictions in his selection of Mr.. Nc
Cormick as Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury, and Of Mr.. Bell. as Assistant
Secretary of the Interior. These gentle
men had rendered conspicuous political
services. and are we'll deserving the re-
wards of their labors. The retention of
Mr.. Stiles as appointment clerk in the
Department of tie Interior does the Sec
retary great credit. During the past
eight years and especially in the late
campaign his pen proved to be most
valuable disseminator of political truths
Well is he deserving of all eommendation.


If it be, as we opine it must be, ad.
mitted that this recognition of the polit-
cal services of heads of Departments
and Bureaux is in accordance with right
and is not antagonistic to the purity and
efficiency of the civil service, why should
not the same policy be extended to the
subordinates There is no argument ir
favor of the one that does not have equa.
force in favor of the other. Republicans
know very well what the Democracy
would have done had Tilden been inaug
urated. The organization of the House
of Representatives illustrated that. Take
care of your friends is the rule by which
public men must be guided, if they ex
pect to be sustained. The experience O
the past should be the light by which
they should be guided in the present ant
in the future. In this way they "wil
serve their party best, and do the coun
try no wrong.


LIBELING PUBLIC SERVANTS.


1t is to be much lamented that in oul
country the holding of a public position
| of profit or trust almost invariably sub
iects the occupant to the malicious at
tacks of the low and unscrupulous. Th'