Year: 1877

Senator Morton and the President.


The invalid Indiana Senator shows him
self as dexterous in the art of administer
ing friendly advice as il he had been bred
diplomatist. The editorial article in the
Indianapolis Journal which was telegraphed
all over the country in advance Of its pub
lication, with Senator Morton's indorse-
ment, is ostensibly piece of advice to the
republicans in Congress, but really delicate
intimation to President Hayes that he must
meet the dissatisfied Congressman rather
more than half way in the advances toward
reconciliation which the Senator regards as
the common duty Of both. He counsels the
Congressman to respect Mr.. Hayes motives,
patriotism and party fidelity. telling them,
but also reminding him, that 'he was elected
as a republican, and it is impossible for him,
with the present organization OF parties,
even if he should desire, to be other
than republican President" Mr.. Morton
would seem equally to regret the inconsid-
crate remarks which some republicans have
made about the President and the assump-
ton Of independence of the party which
some indiscreet friends have ascribed to Mr..
Hayes. The restoration of harmony, which
is indispensable, will not be promoted
either by intemperance Of speech on the
one side or by assumed airs of indifference
to party censure on the other.


Senator Morton tells the republicans
that the Southern policy Of the Presi-
dent, having been once adopted, is
irreversible 80 long as the South behaves
itself but he adds that ''when these States
fail to maintain the law and protect the
eqaal rights Of oil classes we shall expect
the peace policy 10 bo abandoned by the
administration and force policy inau-
gurated." He gives no intimation that
Kellogg ought not to be seated as Senator,
nor could he very well, since he prepared a
report at the March session in favor of
Kelloggs admission. If the republican
majority shall sent him the President will
have to accept the result, as the Senate will
have to submit to the recognition Of Mich
oils as Governor. This question will soon
be decided one way or the other. and there
will afterward be no practical ground Of diff
ference between the President and Con-
gress on any branch of the Southern ques-





ton. .u aU


On the civil service question Mr.. Morton,
under courteous guise of defending the
President, counsels him to give up the civil
service order as mistake What he says
on this point is SO suggestive and significant
that we insert -


1t is not likely that the administration can control
the action OF c,vr oihcers connected with The detail
work Of their party, nor do we believe thero Is No.
cessity for any attempt do Liborty OF thought
and action should not be abridged because man hap


faithfully and honestly the duties imposed BY his 81
hce this Is all that should be required and all that
be required, and an attempt 70 dictate which political
work ofIcor may perform for party must OF right
and necessity, fail This will be discovered by tho
President about as quickly as II will be by Congress,
aud II Is matter OF MINOR inportance, upon which It
Is childish to make an issue Congressional patronage
may have oecu abused We have no doubt II has been;
but II Is impossible that the President or his Cabi
net should know all the applicants for office ia
the several States, or that tney should know even
good for each Of The ofces to be filed And
know OF safer advisers In reference 10 such ap-
pcant3 than the Senators and members Of Congress
represent the people OF tho localities wherein tho
duties OF such officers to be discharged II any
Senator other should provo himself an unsafe ad
wiser then the President would be justified In Ignoring
him and seeking information from other sources and
in iact ho should seek such information from ali
w 80 N" onsss o the apncsn bs ne
pubcans in Congress should not embarrass tho ad-
minisraton by any factous opposition to the meas.





teeK to promote the harmony Of the party, In which
none are more interested than the President aud his
Cabinet, and to secure which they have only TO
main stesdiast republicans.
The tenor Of this advice is that Congress
need give itself no uneasiness about the
order forbidding federal officers to take part
in politics, because the President is sure
to discover his error in issuing such an
order and to abandon it himself Mr.
Morton also thinks that the President will
discover the necessity of consulting Con-
gressmen about his nominations and that 1t
is wise for them to await the ripening effect
of experience on the Presidents mind. He
closes by reminding all concerned that
''nonc are more interested to promote
the harmony of the party than the President
and his Cabinet, and to secure which they
have only to remain steadfast republicans
This advice is skilful attempt to pour oil
on the troubled waters by holding out to
the Congressman prospect that MI. Hayes,
with little more experience, will come to
see that he cannot successfully administer
the government without the cordial support
of the party that elected him.


This wise attempt to re-establish harmony
ought to make an impression on both Sides
We do not believe that President Hayes will
defy his party or decline to make the con-
cessions which Senator Morton predicts
with SO much delicacy and kind feeling. In
fact, Mr.. Hayes is already beginning to
recede. He has explained away the civil
service order until it means next to nothing
and is likely to drop the remaining frag-
ment Of it. The Senate having adopted,
ut Mr.. Conkling's instance, resolution
requesting the President to state, in con-
nection with every nomination, how the
vacancy occurred and, in cases of suspen-
sion, the reasons for suspending the officer,
Mr.. Hayes has readily complied. This will
hot liffIo nir,u Of tho ri,