Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1885 — POLITICAL. [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL.

President Cleveland, in an interview with a member of the editorial staff of the Washington Post, expressed himself as follows in regard to the reorganization of the Civil Service Commission: The reorganization of the commission was made necessary by the resignation of the members of the old board. In such reorganization it seemed to me that friends for the cause could be made in the party to which I belong, and which is at present, to a large extent, charged with the enforcement of the law, by changing the political complexion of the commission. This view was, I think, shared by all the old Commissioners, and the change has thus far progressed with none but the best of feeling, so far as I know, on their part. In the selection of the new Commissioners there were so many different qualifications which I deemed desirable that I have found it no easy matter to fill the position with men who could combine the elements .which I consider most useful to the fair, honest, and successful enforcement of the law. Prominent leaders in the civil service movement strongly advised me to select one of the commissioners from the South. This I have done, and the person selected from that locality I am quite certain possesses all the qualifications for an efficient officer. Mr. Edgerton I never saw until yesterday, and I don’t remember that I ever heard of him until Chief Justice Waite urged him upon my attentions as a most excellent man for the place. From my impression of him upon a personal interview, and from representations made by his friends, I am entirely satisfied that no mistake has been mode in his appointment. I cannot rid myself of the idea that this civilservice reform is something intended to do practical good, and not a mere sentiment intended for the purpose of affording opportunity to ventilate high-sounding notions and fine phrases. My plan of giving it the greatest possible usefulness involves the removal of stumbling-blocks from the way of good, honest men who are inclined to its support, and to demonstrate in every public manner its value as adapted to the every-day affairs of the Government. Thus, two Democrats were selected, and I certainly intended to select them for the two prominent positions on the commission, and this was done largely in deference to the sentiments and opinions held by good men in the Democratic party. And i± has also occurred to me that it was a plain dictate of common sense that one of the old Commissioners should, if possible, remain for a time to aid the new ones. The preparation of the report of the commission is a most important matter, affording an occasion to recommend the reform to the people by exhibiting to them all it has accomplished, and the report ought to be very useful, too, in removing misapprehensions and objections.

Gov. Hoadly, of Ohio,, interviewed- in Chicago, says that personally he is not sorry he was defeated, as his health has not been such as to cause him to desire to remain in public life. His only regret is the .overthrow of his party. He sees no reason why the Prohibitionists should not increase in numbers in 0hi0.... Gov. Hill holds that the victory in New York was 'purely Democratic. Republicans, he says, may have voted for him, but they knew he was a Democrat when they did it.%?." 1 A journalist of Boston has obtained the views of some Southern Governors in regard to the political situation. Governor Knott, of Kentucky, writes that a very large majority of the white people of the South, while loyal to the Union and desirous only of honest and economical government, are Democrats from conviction. General Fitz Hugh Lee thinks the solid white vote of the South is the result of the reconstruction policy, and that the negroes will not divide so long as they are sustained by the National Republican party. Governor Perry, of Alabama, expresses the belief that “Northern preachers of sectional hate will find no more fruitful field in Florida than they had in New York.” Full returns of the New York election place Hill’s majority at about 11,200. Matthew Quay, Republican candidate for Treasurer of Pennsylvania, has a majority of about 42,000. Complete returns from all Legislative districts in Virginia show the complexion of the next Legislature to be

as follows; Senate—Democrats, 30; Republicans, 10. House —Democtats, 70; Republicans,*’ 30. i Democratic majority on joint -ballot, 60. Returns from all of the ninety-nine counties in lowa give Larjabee, Republican candidate for Governor,. a majority Of 8,123. The Legislature. according to corrected returns, will stand: Sixty Republicans in the House to forty opposition, and thirty-one Republicans in the Senate to nineteen opposition. The official returns of the special election held in the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois to elect A successor to the late Hon. Reuben Ellwood show that the Hon. A. J. Hopkins was elected by an unusually large majority, he receiving 9,097 votes out of 12,358 votes p011ed.... In New Jersey the Republicans have 5 majority in the Senate and 4 in the Assembly, making a majority of 9 on joint ballot. In Virginia Lee’s majority for Governor is about 25,000. In Maryland the majority for the Democratic State ticket is about 30,000. The Legislature stands about as follows: Senate, Republicans 6, Democrats 20; House, Republicans 16, Democrats 101; Democratic majority on joint ballot, 99.