The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-10-07
The GYPSY Government.

Secretary Fish Is the only member of the
Cabinet in the city," The American that
loves his government, and desires to respect
those who are charged with administering
its affairs, must feel grieved and Inundated
on reading this dispatch.
When the constitution of the United
States was adopted, an executive depart
ment was created, the chief of which was
designated by the title of president. He was
charged with the execution of the laws, and
in his person the authority and dignity OF
the nation were represented. No Roman
pretor ever bore prouder name than be
who is called the president. That he might
be able to execute the laws with wisdom
and dignity, It was provided that he
should be advised by body OF men, chosen
by himself, and designated as his cabinet.
His department was separated into divi-
sions, and az the head of each division was
placed cabinet officer. The system was
copied from England, and is as perfect as
human arrangements can be. Washington,
city laid out by the man whose name It
bears, was selected as the capital of the coun-
try, and has been the home of its presi-
dents from the 18th day of November, 1900,
Until the election of President Grant. Dur
ing all this time no president, with single
exception-and he for only a few weeks
during the hot westher-sver lived else
where than at the capital of the nation
while he filled the executive chair. Neither
did his cabinet officers leave their stations
and hunt for recreation and pleasure
at other places. Until that time it had been
considered that those who accepted Office
took upon themselves responsibilities and
obligations that could only be discharged by
remaining at their posts of duty. The consti-
tuition knows no deputies nor subs for these
high Offices Of state, and those baying bust
ness with them have a right to deal with the
principals. But what do we see to-day, and
what has been the custom OF these officials
since General Grant has been president of
the United States. The president has not
been at the seat of government for months,
save but an hour or so at time, and these
times but few. Early in the summer he
went with his family 70 his villa at Long
Branch, the headquarters OF American
sristocracy. Here he drove his four-in-
hand, smoked his cigars, drank his wine
and cronies as though he had no public
duties to perform, and was not receiving
So, 900 year for performing them. When
he becomes surfeited with the pleasures OF
this great watering place, he takes a palace
car, and with his family goes to the great
city of the Southwest, where, dividing his
time between fast horses and those that
own them, he keeps of ennui for
awhile, and then strikes out for pastures
new" We hear of him first at one place
and then at another; to-day at a society
meeting and tomorrow at a cattle show
or county fair, where he can take in
the beauties of horse-hesh, and crafty his
taste for fast driving by holding the ribbons
behind some Office holders team. No man
holding the high Office now filled by Presi-
dent Grant ever did these things before,
and if the executive head ofany government
ever pursued a similar course he was one
that did not appreciate the responsibilities
of his Office, nor the dignity of his station
When the president is guilty of such official
negligence nothing can be expected but
that his cabinet officers should be guilty too.
"When the cats away,
The mice will play"
If the chief feels the cares ofoffice so lightly,
his subordinates Will not be borne down by
their weight. They, too, determine to have
a 'good time" throw aside their
official robes and strike out in
quest of fun and pleasure. They
leave their offices In the care of head clerks,
or other subordinates, and seek the cool
breezes of Long Branch or Newport, to re-
cuperate their wasted energies. Perhaps
they take a govern ment vessel to convey
them to their summer homes, for they have
learned wisdom from their chief, and know
how to utilize public property to private
use. Thus, to-day there is probably but
single member Of the executive branch of
the government at his post, and possibly
none. Is IL any wonder that the people are
getting tired of such state of affairs as we
have shown to exist? The president and
his cabinet act as though the salaries they
receive from the government were given
them as gratuity, and not paid them Tor
services performed. Like band of gypsies,
they are roaming over the country without
fixed or permanent home; and like the
chiefs OF these nomadic people, the head OF
this travelling government is more noted for
his ability to judge horse Alright and get
the best time out of him that is possible
than for any knowledge of statecrait or ca
pacity to govern q nation OF freemen.
Party Character.
The masses of the people of this country
do not differ essentially in character or
oral;6oat;ona for tho franchisea of citizan-