St. Paul daily globe., 1884-12-31
A Rumor Afloat That the Support of
the Mexican and Nicara-
guam Treaties Will Be
Aeager.
Chandler Issues a Sweeping Order Decapi-
tating the Greater Part OF the
Government Marine.
Bland Turns Up i'm Washington and Places
Himself on Record FavOrinE
Unlimited Coinage.
The ChHdren's Ohristmas-A Decreased
COt.OH Yield E1peofed-Hasen
and H0IfHorfh.
EATON or cLEvELASD's LErrEK.
IAssociared Pres


sion, was to-day asked by representative Of
the Associated Press for his views in regard
10 Gov. Cleveland's letter published this
morning. Eaton in reply expressed himself
as follows: 1t would be objectionable pre-
sumption in me TO assume TO speak for Gov.
Cleveland, but may speak freely for myself.
/ regard the letter rs the deliberate, signid-
cant and timely utterance Uf q man who
comprehends the situation and has the eour-
aye of his convictions and bis duties. II Is =
I platform on the subject TO which It relates.
The views Of the letter sre
those common 20 all true statesmen Of
both parties. These views are those
most rapidly growing in the hearts Of the
people. The policy disclosed In the letter
is that by which alone his party can retain
power or the country escape decay. IL shows
plainly that We are tO have no mixed cabin ct
aud no umid or compromising policy, but a
strong, positive, honest courageous aud abso-
lutely Democratic administration. II will
be one In broad contrast % the last Demo-
cratic administration, which was weak, eva
sive and scornful Of noble and growing senti-
ment- / may do injustice 10 my political
lletn
have been hoping that Gov. Cleveland would
be found ready 10 break bis pledges and trife
With his convictions. This letter ought 10 dis
pei all such illusions, and IS therefore timely.
The place hunters of his party may yet give
him much trouble and perhaps may bring
their party near to ruin by their greed for
Office. The Democratic party now stands as
il did when Buchanan was elected, where
two roads separate-One leading 10 honor
and victory and the other TO shame and de-
feat. Its fate depends on its choice OF roads
and leaders. If cared more for my party
than my country should hope greed and
clamor for places aud spoils would break
through the civil service law and
rules and engulf the new president with all
tue statesmen Of the party. The declaration
OF the latter that 1.-THE lessons OF the past
should be unlearned' may well be pondered
by Republicans as well as Democrats. Ii Is
just ten years since President Grant, through
a special message, was asking the Rcpubli-
cans Of congress 10 make small appropria-
ton for the enforcement OF the civil service
rules, to which the Republican party was
solemnly pledged. Unfortunately there was
then no statesman in congress who could
see that new cause, with the element of
potency IN the near future, was be-
ginning to stir the hearts Of the people. In
the eyes Of the Republican leaders, the early
friends of the cause were ''enthusiastsii and
''doctrnaires, at whom partisan journals
especially delighted TO sneer. No member
in either house cared 10 even call Tor the yeas
and noes on the proposition. Amid ieers
! al
opinion Of the leaders and its enemies. were
consigned TO the tomb Of the Copulrts. About
that Time the Republican party entered upon
a slow decline. JObbery and patronage mon
gering more and more, flOurished. At this
time, too, began, on deliberate method (and
soon afterwards was carried forward through
many affiliated Orgauizations) that
broad appeal to the virtue ana
wisdom of the country which two
years ago convinced a reluctant congress
that the reform IN sentiment must be heeded.
civil service reform bill was urepareI
Courageous and patriotic Drmocrats-;o
whom the country owes much-brought in
this bill, to which Republicans contributed
by far the most in speech, earnestness and
votes to make law. But their return 10 sound
principles on this subject was rather late
and their support OF them in the last canvass
rather feeble and equiyocal- facts which
in my opinion insured their defeat
They thus gave the Democrats a chance
TO capture that cause, and now that reform
sentiment-haying grown 10 be a great poll
teal farce-having captured the empire
staie, aud, under the leadership Of GOV.
Cleveland, shaped its administration 10 re-
form methods, speaks in decisive and
unmistakeable language through the .etter OF
the president elect, whom that sentiment has
thus early IN its course brought 10 the head
OF tue nation. In these facts we NAV see
part OF the lesson 10 be unlearned. II seems
to me plain where the new president
stands, and which road he regards as the
true road 10 honor and duty. But
will his party unlearn the Lesson OF It's
own folly or gain wisdom from the folly Of
its opponentsl Will it resist his wise leader
ships Under the new civil service law a Re-
publican administration, with maguanimity
unprecedented in our history, has gwen
official places 10 from 500 10 IOOO Of its polit-
ical opponents. Will the Democratic admin
istraiion have the patriotism aud courage
needed to follow that examplel These are
the vital questions which that letter suggests
and which impart TO il profound significance.
DEMOCRATS ENDORSE THE LETTER.
The Eoe'll,g Star Tonight prints brief
interview with a number OF Democratic
members Of congress upOu'G Gov. Cleveland's
letter. Representative Ellis, Of Louisiana,
said 10 a reporter he regarded the letter as the
finest production which had come from Gov.
Cleveland's pen. "rhe life Of the Democ-
racy," be said, depends upon its uphoIding
the law. With the policy indicated in Cleve-
lands letter, twenty-five years from now the
party will still be in power. Cleveland has
proven himself statesman Of high order. He
will trample out this accursed spoils system.
ana pray that every Democratic senator and
representative may gather around him aud
hold up his hands as Aaron held up the
hands of Muses.. They must sustain him and
make the Democratic party the insignia OF
honor and honesty There are sentiments
in that letter that should be posted all over
the portals and gateways as the Jews used to
do. They should serve as frontal piece TO
rest before the eyes of American politicians
every Democrat and every Republican,"
said Representative Pusey, will read that
letter and say 1T has the right ring Cleve-
land has grown upon US"
Representative Holman thinks the let
ter is ''timely, manly and proper" He says
the Independents gave Cleveland valuable
support, ano ii was emineutly proper for him
to answer their inquiry as TO his course in
regard to removals from and appointments
TO office. 81 believe" added Holman, THAT
Gov. Cleveland is entirely honest and sin
cere and that be will faithfully carry out the
civil service law.n He said further that in
Indiana Federal officials generally are very
good men and good officers, with the excep-
ton OF those in the internal revenue service,
WHO, Holman thought, had been appointed
mainly for partisan service.
Representative Buckner endorsed Hol-
mans commendation Of the letter. He said
Gov. Cleveland has done right in spreading