Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1885 — Some Inaccuracies, [ARTICLE]

Some Inaccuracies,

Indianapolis Sentinel: A Globe-Democrat reporter, in conversation with the Vice President remarked that the civil service law oeemed to be an obstruction in the way to office. “Yes, the Civil Service Commis-

sion is not exactly in harmony with the Democratic theory of government, but all tilings will adjust themselves to the spirit as well as the letter of the Chicago platform in due time.” “Judge Thomnn, especially, is out of harmony, is he not?” “Very much so, indeed. I know Judge Thom an very well, and personally I like him.” “If you had your own way in the matter, would you r tain the Judge because of your personal liking for the ma . ?” “By no means. My idea is that Judge 1 homan should he nvited to step down and out of the commission, and not only he, but every other member of it. Then I wo’d appoint a new board of entirely different material from the old cue.” “But would that avail you anything, since the letter of the civil service law would remain the same as under the present commission?” “Possibly rot as much as I sho’d I ke. But, you see, the law as it stands is diametrically opposed to the Democratic theory of a govermment b r the people, and it will have to he cut cjown, altered and changed very materially, and I am in f&vor of having it done at the earliest day possible. Then again, my idea of the way to reform the Government in all its parts is to put Democrats into all the offices, from the lowest to the highest, and from the highest to the lowest. I don’t believe in a Democratic administration giving 'he benefits of its victory to Republicans, nor do I believe a Republican administration would be justified in giving office to their opponents. In short, ‘to the victor belongs the spoils.’ ” “Do you think the Senate will antagonize the administration?” “I think it will without a doubt, especially the matter of confirming appointments. That must'be expected.” “Will that cripple the administration, think you?” “Well, it won’t be of any material help to it, I can assure you.” The foregoing appeared in the Globe Democrat of Sunday morning, and was copied into the Sentinel of yesterday. In conversation with Mr. Hendricks regarding the views expressed, we find that they are inaccurate in some respects.— In reference to Judge Thoman, Mr. Hendricks says that while he has the kindest feelings and much r espect for him, he thinks that with the resignation of the other members of the Commission the Judge will have to retire, and with a new commission there wouli probably follow a modification of the law and the rules under it, making them more acc-ptable to the Democracy, and, indeed, to the whole country. The Vice President does not think that an indiscriminate removal would follow, and he is not personally in favor of such a removal ; but he believes such changes sho’d be made as justice and fair play demand consistently with an effi cient public service. These views are consistent with those expressed in his letter of acceptance. In respect to the position of the Senate towards the appointments made by the President the Vice President expressed no opinion to the GlobeDemocrat reporter.

V bite County Democrat: Rcj corder Simons, by order of the Commissioners, has had the newspapers on file at the Recorder’s office neatly and durably bound. The first volume is that of the V lute County Jacksonian for the month of December, 1858, and the V bite County Democrat from Wednesday, March 23, 1859, to Wednesday, March 6, 1861. The latter was published by Janies W. McEwen, the veteran editor of Northern Indiana. These old files would be extremely interesting to an old resident of the county and contain much valuable information. Bro. McEwen printed bis issue of May 4, 1859, in blue ink, but fails to give a reason. Patent medicine advertisements occupy more space than in modern newspapers. The 2d annual fair of the White County Agricultural Society was held at Reynolds Sept. 22d and 23d, 1859. In the programme for celebrating the glorious fourth, 185°, Dr. Haymond figured as the orator of the day. The fact that the doctor has been in demand ever since for such occasions, is sufficient proof that liis sp ech was satisfactory. The democratic county ticket was nominated the first of April, 1860, the following being the nominees: Auditor, Joseph D. Cowdin; SherMat. Henderson; Treasurer, John E. Dale; Com miss : oner, Francis G. Kendall; Coronor, Robert Tinsdale. Mathew Henderson was the only one who “got there.”These files are incomplete, but are valuable as records, and it is proper that they be preserved in this m a«ner. The files of the Herald run from 1869 to 1884. The Constitutionalist from 1867 to 1878; the Monticello Democrat from ’77 to ’79; the White County Democrat from 1882 to 1884.