The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-10
PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE.

PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE.
1t is a homely adage-"the proof of the
pudding is in the eating of it"-but there is
deal of truth in it. The value of President
Clevelands suggestions must be determined
by the manner in which he stands by them
and endeavors to secure their enforcement.
1t may be very creditable to make good
record in professions relative to civil-service
and other reforms; but professions alone will
not stand. If the President continues, as he
has in so many instances, turning out tried
and capable officials simply to make room for
Democrats however worthy the latter may
be, his fine talk in his inaugural and his mes
sage simply becomes hypocrisy. The sympa-
thetic injunction, ''Be ye clothed" became
mockery when it was not supplemented by
the garments necessary to make the don
ming possible. 1t is exactly 80 with the
President. He may say 'Let us respect the
civil-service rules in their true spirit and in
tent" but unless he honors them himself, his
words are valueless, and his honesty is ques-
toned The President has repeatedly spoken
we'll of this reform, yet he has often griev-
ously offended against his fair professions,
and has made appointments that have shamed
the people. He has likewise made removals
and appointments which, while not scandal
Gus in themselves, haved killed the spirit of
the civil-service law. The public, therefore,
have reason to receive his words now with
some doubt Of his sincerity, and all the more
because of the fact that a powerful if not con-
trolling element in his party, to which he
must look for aid is unalterably opposed to any
and all enactments that can be construed into
even retarding the distribution of tie spoils
The Republican party during its long lease of
power did much toward observing what has
but recently been embodied in the civil-service
rules. While not seeking out and honoring
men connected with the opposition, it made
it a rule to retain in the Offices now affected
by the rules such as were found capable and
energetic. In proof of this, it is matter of
common occurrence now that men are deposed
to make room for Democrats that held their
places through several administrations and
for no other reason than that they were com
petent and honest. Their retention was in
exact accord with the idea of civil-service
reform, so much talked about now. and their
removal whether made in the first month or
the last month of the new administration, is
a scandal and wrong, unless the rules are to
be used as cuspidor while ostentatiously
worshiped as an idol.
The same inco-ordnation between the chief
executive and his party is observable
throughout his message, and his stand
on nearly every essential point is the
| antithesis of Democratic traditions and
faith. In truth, the President seems
to have appropriated the Republican
livery to serve Democracy in. If he is simply
masquerading, the disguise will soon be pen
etrated; and if he is sincere in adopting and
indorsing Republcanism, his party followers
will not be slow in renouncing him. But,
whether sincere or sbrewdly diplomatic, the
message is remarkable Endorsement of the
work of the Republican party, and leaves with
the people regret that the affairs of the
Nation were not continued in the hands of
those who did so we'll, under circumstances of
perplexity and trial that favored mistakes of
all kinds under stress of attention directed to
affairs of the utmost Importance 1t may
be that the President is still posturing
with the idea of pleasing the mugwumps, and
that his party understands it that way. The
| drift of the understanding has been that way
all along. Mr.. Cleveland has never taken
stand IN favor of any reform that the rank and
file of the Democratic party believed he
meant. To them it was the old scheme re-
| sorted to in order to steal a march on the
presidency and the good things that they inn
agined went with it. So, at this iuncture.
with Democratic President voluntarily Civ
ing Endorsement to all that the Republican
| party has done, despite the active hostility of
Democracy, it is only natural that the public
await developments. 1t won't do to keep all
eyes Oh the message hole while the fox itself
may be raiding the federal coop supposed to
be guarded by civil-service rules and plausible
promises and suggestions. If Democracy is
honest in its present professions, it has yet to
be proved
Mr. TILDEN's fond regard for himself as
a sort of President-at-large is not shared by