Snowden.] O04 [March 15, 



system without the bidding force of law to sustain it, can 

 only hope tor partial and unsatisfactory results, no matter 

 how earnest and honest may be the effort. 



It is doubtful, indeed, if any administration is strong 

 enough to enforce the reform against long established prece- 

 dent, and the selfishness of partisan managers, unless forti- 

 fied and strengthened by law. 



The reasons are manifold why the policy, as a mere ad- 

 ministrative measure, is likely to be a failure; First, if for 

 no other reason, because it would be looked upon as an 

 ephemeral effort or experiment, likely to disappear with 

 the administration, if not break down before it terminated. 

 Second, because as such, it would be constantly assaulted 

 with a view to its abandonment ; whereas, if under the 

 sanction of the law, it would be accepted as a fixed fact and 

 remain practically unassailed ; and Third, because it would 

 have no binding force upon succeeding Presidents, who 

 could and probably would overthrow in a day the work of 

 years. 



President Hayes will ever be remembered for a noble 

 effort in this direction, and although much good has been 

 accomplished, yet, from the causes I have enumerated, and 

 others, results expected and hoped for have not been fully 

 realized. 



General Jackson is credited with the declaration that, " to 

 trie victors belong the spoils," aud whether he or William 

 L. Marcy is responsible for the utterance, there can be no 

 doubt that Jackson was the first President who broke down 

 the old tenure of office, handed down to us from our En- 

 glish ancestors, and recognized by Washington and his com- 

 patriots, as of the highest value in the administration of 

 public affairs. 



