St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-31
APPOIN TMENTs FOR FITNESS.


Ho,U the Democratic Candidate has Proved
His Fidelity to CiviI Service Reform.
The acts which make up Grover Clevc-
lands record as governor are Invisible nat
urally into two general classes-his appoint
ments to Office and his supervision of legisla-
ton, says an Albany letter to the New York
EUensirlg Post. The former gave rise, un-
questionably to most of the ante-conyen-
ton opposition his nomination encountered.
although during the contest in Chicago the
latter played most conspicuous part 1t was
difficult for Mr.. Cleyeland's managers to
meet the personal objections. Delegates
from other states could not be made to un-
fair balance. The opposition masqueraded
constantly behind the record on legislation
In the nature of things, the record as to ap-
pointments could not be brought out into
the clear light it deserved to be presented in
When Gov Cleveland came into Office he had
full line of officers to appoint in both the milit-
airy and civil departments. The Democratic
party had been out of power for three years,
and every appetite for Office was sharpened
to high degree. Both branches of the Leg
islature were Democratic. The senate, which
was the confirming power, was prepared to
act promptly on the new appointments to be
made. The split in the Democratic party
had, 1t was assumed, been closed up by
Cleveland's nomination, and the Republl-
cans were disinclined TO share respon sibility
for the new administration. The new gov
ernor was beset with office seekers before he
left his home in Buffalo. His military and
Office staffs it was necessary to appoint in
full or in part before Inauguration day. For
his private secretary he named Daniel g. La
montHwhose rare executive ability, wide per-
sOnal acquaintance, agreeable address,
quick judgment and unimpeachable in
tegrity rendered him most eligible for
the position. Everyone who has had bust
ness at the Office of the execu-
tive has had reason to approve
Of this appointment. Mr.. Lamont
had been for years closely identified with
the Management of his party affairs, but his
appointment was made in no sense as re-
ward for the past or with view to political
services in the future. His course since he
has been the governors private secretary.
has illustrated civil service reform. He has
held aloof entirely from the conventions of
his party. On accepting the Office of private
secretary he resigned the position of clerk to
the state committee, which he had held for
several years, and which few active Young
politicians in either party would have
considered incompatible with office holding.
Mr.. Lamont adhered to the doctrine that Of
fee holders are on ali matters pertaining to
their remaining in power incom petent
judges, and that they are out of place when
they seek TO exert influence on the public
franchise.
Passing over the military establishment I.
in recognizing which Gov Cleveland re-
sisted the opportunities OF politicians to
marked degree and pursued a conservative
course, let US examine some of his most i'm
portant civil appointments. The canals of
this state have always been regarded by pnli-
ticians as highly valuable deposits of patron
age. No other state has an institution so
valuable politically. In the old DAYS of the
canal commission and the toll system this
patronage was more numerous than ]; is
now, hut il was often divided between the
two parties, the commissioners being elec-
tive, while the auditors office was filed by
appointment. Now nearly all the men en-
plOyee in connection with the canals are I'M
der one head-the Superintendent of public
works. These number hundreds. and some
times thousands, scattered through every as
sembly district from Albany to Buffalo, from
Troy TO Lake Champlain, from Syracuse to
Osvego, from Rome 10 the Black river coun-
try, and about the foot Of Lakes Cayuga and
Seneca The power Of the canal patron age
to pack caucuses, and through them to con
troll political conventions, is well understood
in this state, to say nothing of the voting
possibilities OF the canal force at the polls.
Gov. Cleveland came to Albany a stranger.
comparatively, to the methods By which the
canal aud other patronage Is sought for. Be-
cause he was new. in state affairs the politi-
clans assumed that their wiles would be
more effective with him. He was
taken in hand BY the Democratic
senators, and told that this thing and
that thing must be done for the good of the
party. A well known politician, who had Sc
cured the Endorsement of the senators. was
presented for the ofhce Of superintendent Of
public works He had no special fitness for
the position; be had no experience on the
canals His only recommendation was that
he had done good service for the party, had
been officially connected with the cam paign
which had landed Cleveland in the govern
or's Office, Was popular with his fellow Demo-
Gratis, and had been Of special service to one
Of the most prominent Of the Democratic