Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1888 — TALKS TO THE PEOPLE. [ARTICLE]

TALKS TO THE PEOPLE.

THE IIECORD OP A REFORMER. The question of civil service reform is notjoow so l prominent as it was four years ago. Then, we were assured that dhe Government was going to everlasting smash in. that ponnection, and that Mr. ClevelamMais the man specially raised up to prevent the catastrophe. Now, we hear very little about- the mattet, and Mr. Cleveland seems to rest content upon the record lie has made as an enemy of the spoils system. That record is one of the things by which his sincerity is to be; tested and hik usefulness determined; and it is therefore worth looking at. Fortunately, the facts have all been collected and certified by the New York Union League Club. They show that of the 56,134 officers subject to Executive appointment, 42,‘JH2 were changed during the first two years and four months of his term; and it is fair to assume that the changes since made have very nearly covered the entire list. That these changes were necessary, nobody believes; that they have not improved the character of the service, everybody well knows. They simply imply so many experienced Republicans removed because they were Republicans and so., many inexperienced Democrats appointed because they were Democrats. A few instances are given of the sort of men who have thus been selected for reforiliatorV purposes: The statement & fully warranted by the record, that of the first seven Territorial Judges named by him, five within a week were publicly named as “morally and professionally unfit,” and three of the five have since been retired for misconduct. A list of objectionable appointments made during the first half qf the Presidential term showed that fifty-nine have been convicted or indicted for various crimes—ten have been concerned in political crimes, three deserters and one expelled from the United States Senate, three disqualified from office for violalation of oaths, three the tools of persons so disreputable that they could not hold office, and six more, of whom three were appointed to enforce the internal revenue laws, were either themselves liquor sellers or attorneys of liquor sellers. To these are to be added sixtv-one notorious political hacks.

This is very interesting reading for those who supported Mr. Cleveland in 1884 upon an express pledge from him, several times repeated, that he would reform the civil service according to definite rules of personal capacity and fitness, and regardless of all partisan considerations. They can see at a glance that lje has systematically violated that promise, while pretending to be bound by if. The theory that he has done the best he could, considering the circumstances, is fallacious and dishonest. He was not obliged to make all these changes. The matter was in his own hands, and he deliberately favored the spoils-seekers when he had solemnly agreed to resist their demands ami ■frustrate their designs. He knew what the circumstances would be when he made the pledge which gained him the votes of the civil service, reformers. There was nothing said at that time about doing the best that his party would allow him to do; and it is too late now to offer such an excuse for his notorious failure in the ease. He stands condemned by the.official facts as a deliberate hypocrite ancHt disguised enemy of the cause to which lie professed so much devotion. Will the voters whom he has thus betrayed give him another chance to i>lav them false'. 1 If-t'iiev'liava-micyi-an intention, then they are not less culpable than he is; and their boasted anxiety for reform, is only a mask to conceal their alliance with the Democratic party.

MR. BLAIXE’s VIEW OF THE SITUATION. “Republican victory, the prospects of which grow brighter every day,. can , be imperiled only by a lack of unity, or by acrimonioiis contest over men,” says Mr. Blaine in his Paris letter. This may be regarded as an acknowledgment on his part that his candidacy would inevitably lesson the chances of Republican success; and the admission does credit t* his intelligence, as his withdrawal does credit to his patriotism. With all his popularity, it would be impossible for him to poll the full vote of the party—and without the full vote of the party no man can be elected. That is the simple truth about the situation. There was a time when the Republican majority was so large and party discipline so strict that victory could be achieved in spite of dissatisfaction over,candidates, but that time has gone by. It is necessary now to £ake account of protests that are made bv any considerable contingent of the party, no matter what may be thought as to their justice and propriety. The objections to Mr. Blaine may be entirely unsound and unreasonable in the opinion of his friends; but they exist nevertheless, and they are entertained by a sufficient number of voters to his defeat if he should be nominated. Such is clearly the view that he takes of the matter:-ami sn 1 1 lere i; T) f- r consistent.patriot-hut to withdraw from the race and let some mail be chosen whu-can t%Bftnand Lheuiyted and zealous support of the party. There is nothing more certain than "[BafTEeTJe mocratic party can lie beaten Ahis-yew; —But to accomplish that result every Republican vote will be needed. i JKXt ..fc-***■* rutjtti «Mt Ino excuse for taking risks that can be

the case,and done it graciously and deliberately. His friepds are no longer desired to advocate his claims, but to exert their influence in favor of a candidate whose nomination will satisfy all wings and factions of the party,and thus insure success. It can not be doubted that sueh a man can be found. The party is well sup: plied with capable and worthy statesmen, and among the number there must surely be one,at least, whom the whole mass of Republican voters can wofk for in’a willing and resolute manner. To find the man who, all things considered, can be expected to poll the most votes, is the task presented to the Chicago Convention. Mr. Blaine is not that man, he frankly concedes; and no pretext is left for any further consideration of his name in that relation. $0 far as he is concerned, the field is clear of complication and embarrassment. , The convention can approach the subject the same as if he had never been spoken of for President, and yet with the assurance that its choice will receive his indorsement as a Republican who is willing to renounce personal ambition and leadership in the interest of party harmony and success. That is the interpretation to be put upon his Paris letter. There are those, of course, who will still insist that he does not mean what he says, land that he is meditating some dramatic surprise of trickery and selfishness; but it is much easier and more rational to credit him with honest motives, and to recognize the--force of liis observations regarding the conditions of victory and the dangers to be avoided if we do not wish the next election to be a repetition oi the last one in disappointment and disaster.