The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-28
Une Term.

4
ion of law makers. He expresses
himself strongly in favor of consti-
,uUional amendment, disqualifylng the
president fo- reelection, and it is to be
hoped congress,will present such prop
,sition to the people of these United
States for their approval. Undoubt-
edly the law of office tenure, generally
speaking, as it now exists in the
union and in states, is the fruitful
source of nearly all the evils into
which governments so readily drift.
The president or the governor, or for
that matter almost any federal, state,
comfy or municipal officer, so soon as
entrusted with tt e duties and reSpon-
sibilities of Office begins to nse its pre-
negatives for reelection. Each and |
all use public place for private ambi-
ton and gain, becoming per-
petual agencies for disturbance in
politics and decentralization in civil
service. Presidents and governors
proceed, as soon as in office. to use
every means for charging executive
powers; demanding the passage of
such laws and the adoption of such
measures as will most enlarge their
personal influence. Close students of
government have long since been
convinced of the necessity of the re-
form which Mr.. Cleveland advocates,
and his declarations in behalf OF so
necessary measure will go long
way in securing votes for him. The
people begin to see the necessity
of rotstion in Office, as political stu
dents have seen 1t, and they will be
found ready to honor the man, who,
in advance of holding position, makes
his declaration against being permit
ted to exercise power so often used
for evil, It is absolutely necessary to
limit executive power to good OBJ
jects, to prevent the perversiou of
this power to schemes of personal
ambition or financial gain. Everything
stands in the way of an admin
istrative officer, inviting him to use
his prerogatives for such ends. and
the temptation to do so should be
taken from him. He fills public places
with creatures pledged to aid him
towards reelection, entrusts great
prbiic responsibilities with personal
tools, regardless of popular welfare,
pledging them to perpetuate the
power of the master; he has officers
created to satisfy the wants Of his
servitors, aud places them
where money may be sur
reptitiously taken from the public
treasury to be used in furthering the
personal schemes of their patron.
Mr.. Cleveland deserves thanks for
calling attention to the diabolical
methods by which men in power hold
places even when they do not have
public endorsement. The prevalence
of this evil makes sycophants out OF
appointive officers; it causes neg, Ct @!
public duty and devotion to private
ends; it degrades the public function
airy into a private tool; it sends him
about looking after the succession OF
his master, working up primaries and
attending conventions to renominate
him, when duty demands of him ser
vice for the public in his public ca
pacity. Stop the succession, and these
creatures of executives will be kicked
out of public places, and their places
filled with men who will find it
to their interest to serve the
public in hope of further reward
The move bis in the line of, radica.
evil service reform; it should go furl
ther, in fact, and place those in the
civil service outside of the political
whirl; it would confne public officers
and clerks to public duties, leaving
them to engage, while drawing pay as
such, alone in the performance of du-
ties for which they are paid out OF
public funds. Mr., Cleveland says:
"When we consider the patronage of
of this great Office, the allurements OF
power, the temptation to retain public
place already gained, and, more than
all, the availability party finds in an
incumbent whom a horde of office
holders, with a zeal born of benefits
received and fostered by the hope of
favors yet to come, stand ready to aid
with money and trained political ser
vice, we recognize in the eligibility of
the president to re- election a most
serious danger to that calm, deliberate
and intelligent political &C
ton which must characterize
a government by the people. -
The non-existence of a law, such as is
urged by Mr.. Cleveland, has for many
years been almost fatal to our repub-
lie. 1t has been quite as fatal to the
interests of states. and federal and
state legislatures should hasten to
join in a grand, unanimous move for
the greatly needed reform. The presi-
Dental term may be long enough as
1t is, it might be increased with
or without propriety, but the
weight of evidence is in favor Of
terms not too long. So with govern
ors; make them unable to succeed
themselves; stop this disgraceful log
rolling IL legislatures for the success
! sion. Let us have public and not
personal measures placed on our stat
ute books as laws for the government
of people. Let us have rotation in
office. 1t is healty, and BIT would be
vastly profitable to those who pay the
taxes.
The War in China.
Premier Ferry's declaration that
hostilites in Asia were only intended
to aid the French diplomats in arrang-
ing terms, with the Celestials, begins to
look as a mere make believe" and
piece of deceit itself. at all events
the bombardment of Foo Chow, now
in progress, the destruction of the
Chinese iron f1otilla and the sinking
of the celestial flat, the work of the
Erench t0rDedO bOatS-tho terrible