The Indianapolis journal., 1884-11-26
A poRrENroUs CLOUD.
1t Is Only a Little One, But 1t Indicates a
Coming Storm.

1t Is Only a Little One, But 1t Indicates a
Coming Storm.
Washington Special.
The cloud is as yet only about the size Of a
mans hand, but it is clearly defined against the
Democratic sky, and ominous of a black storm,
Senaton Pendleton recognizes the sign, as he has
tens to explain that civil service has not clouded
the pleasures of the Democratic future to any
appreciable extent
Upon asking leading Democrat, who minis
ters about the inner temples of his party, what
Ae thought of its immediate future, he began:
in the first place, there are 1876 presidential
postmasters whose commissions expire by the
1st of February"
To him this was the first obstacle in their road
10 happiness, and one that 'ould only be removed
in case Mr.. Cleveland should be worked up to
the point where he will not hesitate to sweep
out the Offices without regard to unexpired COM
missions
While no one credits the report that Mr. Hen
bricks and Governor Cleveland already have let
each other know that they hold different views
on the subject of the fruits of victory the
general opinion among the faithful here is that
Mr. Hendricks at least is for gathering these
cleaners
Now, Viee-president is of less Importance
than fifth wheel, SO long as President lives
If anything could give him distinct political
entity, and make him prominent figure in
party politics while the President is on deck, it
would be the policy which it is quite evident Mr.
Hendricks intends to uphold and urge in regard
to laying hold of the spoils. But the chances
are that he will settle down into the usual quiet
of the Office to which he has been elected, except
as ne may from time to time declare himself TO
interviewers and on the stump There are some
who see one element of the coming storm in this
liberal spoils system os Mr. Hendricks. They
expect il to act as cross current against the
drift OF what they fear Mr.. Clevelands
ideas
The other and hercer branch of the tempest
they look for is exasperatingly dull use of the
political battle-ax on the part of the President.
This, the rank and file already assert, with an
emphasis which would attract a cowboys atten-
tion, will rock the party to its deepest founda-
tons. Then there are leaders who rise a step
above the patronage, and are worrying over the
fear that cleveland, who has no experience in
public affairs, you know, will fall into the hands
of the wrong men and be started wrong. before
we can get chance to exert an influence
1t is all part of the portento us cloud. If
any attention is paid to civilservice fancies
further than to observe the letter of the law,
which now partially protects a small section of
the patronage it is clear there will be row
1t is the subject uppermost in the thoughts
OF all arriving Democrats. Their talk about
civilservice laws and regular ones except as an
obstacle, is altogether shadowy The ideas
about the Offices are both clear-eut and discrim-
mating. There is one subject upon which the
average Democrat can now pass a creditable ex-
animation. 1t is as to the numbers, rank and
pay of the various grades of public Office. If
there is not early and liberal distribution of
rations there will surely be lively meeting. 1t
is easy to see that the little cloud will grow, and
there will SOON be scenes which Republicans can
a.. H. 6 E.
of the situation.
The mutterings that the rank and Ale will not
tolerate any Withholding of tie Offices, and that
all commissions shall be held on the 4th of
March to expire, must be pretty strong to induce
Senator Pendleton to virtually announce that
the twenty four years of Democratic famine
shall not be prolonged day on his account. Al
though there are only about score of Demo
cratic members and senators here, their talk
fully iusti6es these representations of heavy
storms.