St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-07
REPUBLICAN ASSESsMENT DODGE.

One of the main arguments of people who
are opposed to change in the administra-
ton is to the effect that one party is no bet
ter than the other, and that if the Democrats
were to obtain control of the government,
they would be as dishonest as the others.
There is much of this sort being urged in re-
ply to the speech of Mr.. Hendricks, which is
assumed to convey the threat that, if the
Democrats should obtain the Presidency there
would be universal turning out of Republi-
can officials, and the filing of their places by
Democrats. Very naturally the Republicans
would seriously object to any change which
should menace the condition of their Office
holders. They are of the opinion that, should
a Democratic President be elected, ii would be
an outrage to displace any Republican official.
Hence the clamor against the election of
Democrat. He should not be elected, be-
ause the first thing he would do in such
case would be to turn Republicans out of Of
fee.
So far as the claim that one party is as bad
as another is concerned, and the further
claim that the Democrats would steal what
the Republicans have from oversight omitted
to carry away it is an argument that is alb
surd in this instance, and in parallel cases.
Suppose that some one should say TO the
head of business house; ''your bookkeeper
or cashier, is dishonest; you had best dis
charge him. and he should reply, ''what's
the use? If turn him away and put another
in his place, the new man would steal all the
other has left" Such man would be re-
garded and justly as an inconseouential
idiot, and yet he would be no moro SO than
are the men who argue that the Republicans
ought not to be turned out of power for the
reason that their successors would be equally
dishonest.
The record of the Democratic party proves
that it has never been guilty of mal-admin-
istration when in possession of the govern
ment. There was more money lost or stolen
in any one year of the administration of
Grant than in all the forty years of Democratic
possession of power. This fact alone is a
material one, and the further fact that since
congress has been dominated by Demo-
cratic majority there has been 3 material de-
crease in expenditures, and marked econ
omy in the cost of the government, demon
strates that the Democratic party is better
fitted than the Republicans for the control
and management of the affairs OF the ma
tional government.
AS to the charge that, should the Demo-
Gratis come into power, they would at once
turn out all the Republican incumbents,
here is question as 10 whether the Repub-
licaus are alarmed at the probable loss of
official places, or the possible damage which
may occur to the government. 1t may be
the latter, and it is not impossible, however,
that it may be the former. 1t is conceivable
that the average Republican may have some
regard for the character of the civil service,
but at the same time, it is quite likely that
he may have greater regard for the contnu-
ance of Republicans in Office.
By no possible construction, that is
fair in its nature, can the utterances of Mr..
] Hendricks be construed into meaning that,
in the event of Democratic success, there
will be total emptying of the appointive
offices and their filing by Democrats. This
construction is forced by party organs which
are aiming to interest ofice-holders in the
requirement of the party for favors. 1t is
saying to them in effect, Gentlemen come
down, Mr.. Hendricks is asserting that you
viii all be turned out in case of Democratic
success, an your only remedy against sucf