Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1883-02-02
4 Test for 1884

When the Pendleton bill came up in
| tia Senate we rtiiiai ked that u Suh".ll-
ted both parties to a severe test, ,hecause
both had long been making resonant
demands for reform, and the eoutry,
which had expressed its views at the
polls. would watch closely, with view
to 1884, to see which party could De
| trusted upon the subject. The reform
OF the civil service, indeed, is not prop,
erly party question. That IS to saw,
it does not involve principles OF public
policy. 1t is true that 1t concerns both
the honesty Of politics and the national
character and is therefore question OF
the highest importance: but 20 Far 1t is
matter OF legislation it slmply pro-
vides methods of appointment, promo
t,on, and removal. and requisites admin
istrative detail Yet while not in its
nature essentially party question. 1T
affects party prosperity. When the
country plainly requires a correction
OF administrative methods. the party
that resists and o0structs will certainly
suffer. There may be differences of
opinion as to the proper Interpretation
of all that the extraordinary election OF
the autumn meant. Blu, It Is univ.rs-
ally agreed that il meant some reform
of the spoil> system, and Congress has
shown plainly enough that 1t accepted
hat view.
In this situation true party policy
demanded unanimous support OF rea-
sonable measure such as that OF the
Pendleton bill. The Republicans have
felt this strongly and have acted accord-
ingly. Bnt the Democrats as party
have peen plainly reluctant. MIR Pen
dle,on, INDEED. moved III the matter
two years ,go,and introduced pill for
which he most generously substituted
another prepared with care by the
friends of reform. The true policy of
his party friends was to support him.
and, if possible, secure Tor their p,rty
the credit of reform. But when II be-
came serious practical question, al
though the Democratic lea,iers in the
Senate sustained him. the real opposi
,ion and the opoSing votes were Demo-
cratic: and although Mr.. Cox moved TO
put the bill upon its immediate passage
in the House, yet of the tortvseven
negative votes forty were Democratic,
and one was Greenuacker'S. Mean
while Democrats elsewhere have fool
lshly taken course which tends to
identity 'heir party with the old spoiis
system, and at the very moment when
it was sound party policy to dissolve
:lie connection. A large part of tine
Democratic press has sneered at the
Pendieton bill or family praised it. In
the Legislature ofOhio, MIR Pendleton 5
own state, not only did the Democratic
members of the House refuse to vote to
Congress for passing the bill.
but they put upon record solemn pro-
test against it: while in the Senate the
Democrats refused to vote npon the
resolution OF commendation. In Mas
sachuSetts. General Butler. the Demo-
cratic governor. ridIcuied the subject |
IN his message. and at the Democratic
feast where he was nominated for the
by Ex-Governor Sprague, of
Rhode Island, he put forth as his cry
he phrase that the government belongs
% its friendS-a fat and meaningless
of Marcy's crisp and trench
INT defiance. TO the victors belong the
polls.
In New York Democratic hostility is
lor less apparent. In the Senate, at
he opening of the session. Mr.. Co
yert of. red a resolution to the effect
hat the proper nominations of the Gov
rnor should be confirmed. But this
vas as suspicious as man vehement
tlsaatLe means to tell the
ruth. Iftbe Senators should refuse
o confirm such nominations they
'ueht to be lmpeached. They might
itfer as to what are proper nomin-
tionS, but that Is another point. As
his resolution was said to be intended
o express sympathy with reform. Mr..
tits, republican Senator, offered an
mendment explicitly declaring cer-
ain reform principles. and he used the
lnguage cf Governor Cleveland in his
lessage. But Mr.. Covert. In warmly {
pposing the amendment and denoun-
ing the Republicans as Lattrr-day- !
aints, proclaimed his adhesion to the
polls doctrine. and his party friends. T
'ltn TWO or tnree exceptions, Voteu
cainst the amenement The demo- {
ratio reluctance TO approve the reform !
'r which the party conventions have
cen loudly declaring is due to the en- {
ecta!ion of success in 1884. But with
le genus for laundering and the SIN 7
ular intapacity for practical states s
lanship when now seems to inherit in {
lie party. the Democrats are surely {
ienating the uote upon which their )
lccess depends. The only distinctive /
2. laratlon that the Democratic party I
maku for the Presidential election
that of the spoils tor the victor. 1t
as stupid cry for 1884 as the crv of +
he war is failure" for 1S64.-Ha,p- '
s Weekly.