Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1881 — Is It Not a Total Failure. [ARTICLE]

Is It Not a Total Failure.

When Senator Allison disturbed Mr. Blaine’s pleasant dreams of power, in the early hours of the 4th of March, to decline the Treasury Department, which he had accepted the night before, the whole programme of the Cabinet was dislocated, and a hasty reconstruction became necessary. Windom, Kirkwood, James and Hunt got seats by this unexpected retreat. Foster, who had been booked for the Postoffice, dropped out, anil Indiana lost a place by the jealousies of small politicians. This change in the scheme of organization, as it was settled after Garfield reached Washington, has deranged the plans that were previously formed, and caused discontent that is likely to be a source of serious trouble. The elements have never fused. There are seven Secretaries, but there is no Cabinet, in any proper sense. It is a sort of go-as-you-please concern, with every starter for himself and the devil to take the hindmost, in the race of rivalry. The close intimacies, the natural confidences and the warm friendships which usually grow out of Cabinet connections do not exist at all, and are not likely to take root hereafter. Each of the seven looks after his own department as if he were a head clerk, reports progress, and is punctual in attendance on pay-day. Even the interchange of ordinary civilities is limited among them. All the great expectations that were formed of Blaine have been grievously disappointed. The numerous and faithful friends who stood by him with exceptional devotion for eight years, and who made two Presidential campaigns in his behalf at a large cost of precious time and of much money, are loud in complaints of neglect and of non-recog-nition. The demand for office exceeds the possibility of supply. He cannot fulfil his promises, and he is unable to repay even a fractional part of his obligations. He is afraid to face the men to whom he owes his prominence, and, therefore, he hides from public view, and closes his private door against old associates who used to carry a latch-key in their pockets. If by accident he is found, and a friend asks for a common clerkship in another department, he tells him truly that he has uo influence there, aud

occasionally he proves it by applying and getting an indefinite answer. Thia experience of a few months has cost Blaine dearlv in popularity, and has exposed his weakness to followers who staked everything on his advent to power, either as President or as Premier. The jobbers who made and bought delegates right and left for two conventions, and who in the event of success expected to fiUl their pockets with quick gains, find their game blocked bv the star-route explosion, and some of tnem, who manipulated the Territories for Blaine and big contracts, are threatened with indictments and with the penitentiary as a consoling residence. Blaine will go out of office with few to lament his departure. A similar fate is reserved for Garfield, who has already squandered a chance to acquire distinction, and sacrificed all opportunity to blot out the dark spots on his legislative record. Trickery, falsehood and deception may succeed for a time, but when discovered they always react upon those who employ such base instruments in politics or in private lite, — Washington letter.