The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-15
TWo PToTuRBs oF l.RFPoRM.n

Apologizing for its advocacy of the Demo
cratic cause this year, the New York Times. in
behalf of the independent movement, says;
Those Republicans who are supporting Mr.
Cleveland feel amply justified by the fact that
his election would afford the best available
chance for securing what they have been work
ing for in their own party for many years
They seek now, as they have sought for
years, a reform of the federal government
which will as far and as fast as possible,
abolish patronage and leave the offices to be
filled by those who can give the best work to
the government; that is, to the people, who
employ and pay them"
In opposition to this independent Repub
lican view, the journal begs to place Thomas
A. Hendricks on the stand, and let him tell
the Democratic side Of the story In an inter
view in this city, on Sunday afternoon, just
forty eight hours after his nomination al Chi
cago, he said:
II don't know that it is such an enyiable
position to be the first Democratic President
Of the United States for twenty-five years.
There are $780, 900 federal office holders in the
United States, and from Portland to Los An
geles there is not a Democrat holding a proIni-
nent position. It will be absolutely necessary
for the Democratic President to change, at the
least calculation, $4,000 of these. His party
will demand it. and rightfully too, and the
strain and pressure upon him will be almost
beyond endurance. have no doubt that civil
service reform is very good thing in some
respects, but the offices will have to be filed
by the President, and not the schoolmaster. z
Mr.. Hendricks, as Democratic candidate for
the vice presidency, and speaking for the Dem
ocratic party, says that, in event Of Demo
cratic success Fat the least calculation
$4,000 federal ofice-holders will have to be
driven out to make room for so, 600 Demo-
Gratis What do reformers like Mr.. Curtis
Mr. Beecher and Mr.. Jones, of the Times
think Of this, coming as it does from the one
next the Democratic throneY Places must at
once be made for $4,000 Democratic wire
pullers, and $4,000 federal officers are to be
discharged for no other reason than to
comply with the time-honored Demo.
cratic doctrine, to the victors belong
the spoils. The absurdity Of the
argument that these Republicans are going to
the aid Of their ancient enemy, and the enemy
Of the country, and its every interest, with
the hope Of securing better government and
practical reform, is 50 apparent as to provoke
the wonder how it is possible for sensible
men to be 50 completely hoodwinked The
man who casts a Democratic ballot aids 50 far
az one vote goes in making possible one Of
the most shameless raids on public Offices ever
known, thing that the Republican party has
never been guilty Of. Let US place the utter
ance Of the Times in juxtaposition with that
Of Mr.. Hendricks, and see how they harmonic.
The Times, explaining its abandonment Of the
Republican party and allegiance with the
Democratic, says:
They Independent Republicans'l seek
now, as they have sought for years, q reform
Of the federal government. which will. as far