UNITED STATES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2998, 3 February 1881, Page 4

UNITED STATES.

A Reform of the American Constitution is, it appears, whr t the Prosident-Elect has set his heart upon. In reply to a deputation of Independent Republicans from New York City he declared that he should invite Congress to co-operate with him in abolishing the system under which, upon a new occupant succeeding to the White House at Washington, a general official change took place, from high to low, from generals in command to Custom House clerks, often, in the public service. In order to effect this end, he hints at a plan for rendering it impossible, even for the President himself, to remove a public functionary, oxcept on the ground of proved incapacity or misconduct, during the term for which he wus appointed. Such a reform, should he succeed in accomplishing it, would alone suffice to distinguish General Garfield's term of office. The existing principle has long been recognised as a reproach to the great New World Commonwealth, and by none more than by New World citizens themselves, one illustration of which is exhibited in the letters of " Orpheus C. Kcr " —or Office Seeker " — among the most popular satires of the time. Not that any particular hardship was thus inflicted upon the great tribe of placeholders. Their predecessors were ousted, i/o make room for them, and they themselves ■were ousted, in their turn, to make room for their successful opponents at the next election. Not that the system has at all times been inexorably applied without any relaxation in practice ; but that, to this day, it is within the power of a new President to make a clean sweep upon assuming office of all the departments lying within the jurisdiction of the White House. Such a principle could not be otherwise than demoralising, and this truth is nowhere more unreservedly acknowledged than by the ■statesmen of the American Renublic itself.