Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-22
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POST INTELLIgENCER,


PUSI LIN l6llslt5lssoA
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.SsssCssE AND GSaELGABLE,
Altar the tpet,her election ia Ohio
and while yet the Democrats were iubi'
lantiy anticipating corresponding sue
csss in the November contests. the tone
Of the leading organs of tina, party Wis
IDLY changed regarding several impor-
tant measures. In none j. this more
clearly apparent th N in the aIlisade OF
the leading Democratic organ a. wash
ing.on, ID. G.. the ADseTscan Rfgtsftr.
That Journal il devoted to irfasin2 the
principles Of pare Democracy. and - q
stand I'D authority on Democratic poll
az and practice. This 10 wuat u said
Of the Civil Service bill on the 10Th OF
October last: " The civil service susi-
uss4 ia llamou2, and everybody knows
IL. qhe law il full of holes and cracks
II means anything or nothing. 1t II
not a success nov, and 1t viii never be
ANYTHING except failure" The pres
ant civil service Law is known as the
PeudIeton bill. II was introduced and
championed by Mr.. Pendlston, Dem
ocratic Senator from Ohio, and candi-
date fer reelection by the Legislature
chosen last month. II was passed by a
good majority composed OF representa-
tive men from both parties. 1t has
worked this far exoellently and Is Civ
inc general satisfaction. Under its pro-
visions, merit, not political favor Is the
requisite for appointment to positions
in the civil service of the government.
Partisanship and patronage cut no he-
ure; they are ignored. The lag is doubt
lees inconplete in minor details. All
new laws Involving radical changes are
ant 70 be faulty. But on the whole II
has proven eminently satisfactory, and
the wisdom Of its enactment Is rapidly
being conceded.
The meat In the cocoa nut, the true
cause Of the Registers screed against
this wise law is palpable. When its ar
ticls was written, the aush of success
was on the Democratic party. They had
Just wen victory In tough contest, in
doubtful State. Visions Of continued
conquests in November and grand
tnumphal march into the offices Of the
nation next year danced before the
eyes of that party, 20 long feeding upon
the bitter hnsks Of deferred hopes. The
old Jacksonian motto. Ito the victors
belong the spoils," again cleft the air.
A law Of the United States stands in the
way 70 full enjoyment OF the fruits of
victory. That law stops the doors of
office by requiring educational tests.
something abhorent 10 tho average
Democratic instinct. and forbids the
turning OUT Of kspublicans and
crowdinR In Of Democrats, for purely
partisan purposes. "We must have the
Offices" say the leaders of tho party.
What followsf What is more natural
than an attempt TO break down the only
obstacle 10 full distribution Of the spoils,
the civil service law. This 10 the rea-
son that from the seat Of government in
the most influential organ of the Demo-
cratic party, the key note Of party policy
IL sounded, calling for an attack upon
the civil service law. 10 long as victory
was. In its judgment, dubious, no long
a. the Republican party held the reins.
IL was proper that partisanship be ban
ished and Democrats be put on n level
with Republicans in respect to obtain
ing civil appointments. But when II
appeared that success was probable, the
law which placed merit and Qualifica-
ton above party, was instantly declared
70 be "humbug" and q Failure.
Had tho Democratic party heen equally
suocesaful In the elections this month
can IL BE- doubted that IA earnest az
tempt wonld have been made to repeal
ths obnoxisus law.
Ths fact is-and tho knowledge of
that fact u the paramount obstacle to
~ suCcess-the Democratic party IL in
nncsre. Its party leaders are trimmers.
Watching 10 catch q favorable breeze no
matter from what quarter, 30 II brings
thsm toward the haven Of Irrational con.
trol--and Office. II Ia conscience less,
unreliable and will not do 10 tie TO. IL
has ne policy, no underlying principles.
Itskulks and anon struts. II soolds and
dattsrs. beGs and threatens, promises
and breaks it, pledges. II IL absurdly
inconsistent and intolerably stupid. In
sueoen Il 10 arrogant and tyrannical.
In defeat bringing, craven and hypo-
critical. Il Was = rsmorselass vindictive
antoofat when in power, and since the
tins Il vas dsthronsd. drivsa cat and
tranplsd upon BY IN indsenaas nation,
has been = tottsrin9 mendseans psrpee-
ually sh0vinR ~ soess, telling IL vofal
tale Of hunger and appealing 10 public
charity. When in power II was Nero.
Out Of offioe IL h verisAble Uriah
Heou.