The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-08-25

From the Chicago Times
Ex-senator Joseph L. Mcdonald, of
indiana, was q guest at the Palmer
house yesterday. lie has been spend
ing the summer with his wife at Deer
park, and is looking unusually well.
lie came to Chicago to attend 10 some
legal business. In conversation with
reporter for the Times yesterday
Mr.. McDouald expressed himself free
~, and gave some original ideas on
the public questions of the day. Al
ter speaking in general way of the
good feeling that seemed to prevail
among the people toward Clcveland's
administration, he touched on the
presidents civil service policy.
cleveland eau do no other way than
to observe the civil service law" said
he. eff he would do otherwise he
would DISCARD the law, and | am
sure no good democrat wants
him to do that. Now, will frankly
say that ! would not have voted for
civil service, but it is a law, and ii is
here to stay. 1t is evident that some
such law is needed, although there is
still plenty of room for amend
ncnts. The principal objection to ii.
to my mind, is that 1t will have II ten
dency to create an official class. Oi
course, any party If IL remains in pow
er long enough, will have all its own
men In, and that is all right enough
too, us there are men in both parties
fully capable of filling all the positions.
believe that all the clerical positions
under the government should be ell
al lI..s H..
clerical help should be appointed on
the same principle that men are en-
ployed in large banking aud mcrcan-
tile establishments. If their positions
are contingent OH political preference
they will be thinking more about re-
tanning their positions than perform
ing the duties of their offices. They
then become offensive 'partissns."
What do you think of THAI term,
offensive partisan
81 think IL was very unfortunate
that the president adopted it. II IL
apt TO come back on him and cause
HIM much annoyance
will the senate take IL up aud re-
fuse 10 confirm some Of his oppoint-
ments"
"Well, IL will place the senate in a
position where it can itself tempt to
define what the term offensive parti-
san means. The president may have
his definition, aud then the republican
senators may have theirs
"There has been considerable dis
cussion in regard to who should take
the oillcc-the presidents appointce
or the old appointee-in the case the
senate refuses to confirm the new
man. What is your opinion on that
subjcc'P
"lf the senate refuses TO confirm a
presidential appointce the Old office
holder takes his place, but the prcsi-
dent may Immediately thereafter sus.
pend him aud appoint the same man
that he did before, or u new one. OF
course the senate eau refuse to con-
firm again, and the president can
again suspend, and thus Il sort of u
sce-saw can be kept up, but in the end
the president would have the best oft.
We had such II case when | was in the
senate during Hayes administration
Hayes, rs you know, removed Arthur
rs collector of the port OF New York.
The senate refused to confirm the ap-
poihtment of his successor, but the
president came out ahead, and Merritt
received the position. ...
referring to the postoilice middle
at Indianapolis, Mr.. Mcdonald said
there had been much ado about moth.
ing. lie did not think Mr.. Jones in
any way to blame. If he showed IA
preference tor appointing democrats
to republicans, that Was but natural,
and now he is making his appoint
ments too slowly to suit the demo-
Gratis. The federal appointments
were progressing slowly but surely,
and NIL good democrats seemed to be
satisfied.