Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-21
CIeyeIand's Letter.

/ 1t requires but a small space for Grover
/ Cleveland to tell what he knows about the
affairs of our government. His letter OF
acceptance is 80 very brief that We won-
der why he attempted to write any.
But it is not that the letter is short which
especially excites unfavorable comment
upon it and the writer it is that there is
nothing in it. There are brief letters
which contain great deal but this is not
one of that kind. Judged by what there
is in it the letter is altogether too long; if
Tilden or Thurman or Bayard had been
under the necessity of publishing letter
of acceptance, it would have been much
longer document with great deal more
weight to the square inch. This letter is
the measure OF Mr.. Cleveland as a states
man. 1t represents him well. 1t is his
best effort. And a very dimlnutive letter
it is in every sense of the word.
We find but two ideas in it; one, the
ACCESSIBILITY of restricting a President to
commonplace generalties about labor.
The first is an idea which his independent
allies have put into his head. 1t is a
question which has been discussed ever
since the government existed. BUTT hap
pens that we have had very recently ex-
amples proving that the fear that
Presidents may be able to continue
themselves in Office by the use of patron
age is not well founded. There was the
effort made to give Grant third term.
The discussion of the matter in the papers
rendered it a failure. The people took it
for nomination at the national convention.
Later is the case Of President Arthur. All
his large popularity combined with what
advantage he could draw from wielding
the patronage of the government was not
sufficient to secure his reelection The
people hold the power absolutely to con-
troll this question and will do it whenever
it appears necessary or best for them to
do so. If our Presidents are to be con
fined to a single term of four years. they
will hardly get seated in office before they
will have To prepare to leave, and a large
at the same time The reform of the civ
il service aims ut greater permanency of
the tenure of office, but the proposition to
restrict the President to a term of four
years is opposed to such a result.
In regard to protecting labor the re-
marks of Mr.. Cleveland will have but
little weight. The laboring men of New
York know what his course has been
towards them, and they will take his acts
rather than his words concerning his feel
ing toward workingmen. AS Governor
of New York he has been the supporter
of monopolies and corporations. and put
his foot upon every project to promote the
welfare of the laboring class. The men,
ton of the following bills which he vetoed
viii serve to illustrate how much svmpa-
thy he has tor the humble. He vetoed
bill to prohibit the employing of chill
dren under - years of age in any mill or
factory in the State of New York.
A bill called the Mechanics Lien law to
prevent sharpers and shysters from preying
on the hard-earned wages of workingmcn
bill to reduce the number OF hours of
work for street-car drivers and conductors
from | : to II hours per day.
bill to enable the wives and children of
workingmen and all Others to ride on the
elevated railroad for FIVE cents fare.
bill to prevent infection and disease from
spreading throughout the community by for
bidding the manufacture of cigars in tene-
ment used as an eating. sleeping and work
ing room, one room tor all purposes.
When laboring men look at this record
of his acts they will spurn his words in
his letter about protecting workingmen
Acts speak louder than words Nothing
that Grover Cleveland can say will win
the confidence of the workiugmen of New
York, and As they are doing SO should
workingmen in every State do-organize
and work against him aud give their most
energetic support TO Blaine and Logan.