tion might stand in a better light, in some respects at least, had it appointed Mr. Thompson himself instead of putting him in power under a very thin disguise. This is what I have heard said a dozen times by very respectable men. I enclose an article from yesterday's Times. It is substantially what I have no doubt a large majority of our people think, although they may express themselves more mildly as the Evening Post does. You will also notice the Mephistophelian grin of the Sun. As to my own feelings I must confess this appointment revives my first misgivings that New York politics may become the rock upon which your Administration will wreck itself; that right there will always be the source of advice dangerous to your good name and to success in the accomplishment of your best purposes; that this appointment was obtained from you to put the customhouse under the control of a political machine; that it will be so used without your knowing it, and that you will become aware of the true state of things when it is too late to prevent the mischief. Pardon my frankness. I feel very anxious about this thing.
TO LUCIUS B. SWIFT
| 110 W. 34th St., | |
| New York, Aug. 25, 1885. |
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I have attentively read the papers which you have sent to me from time to time. As you know, I earnestly sympathize with you as to the main question. But it seems to me that the criticism passed by the [Indianapolis] Evening News upon the Eastern Mugwumps, as represented by the New York Times, is too severe. We have gone through all sorts of experiences here. There have been many things done by the Administration [which] at
