The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-03-17
TERRITORIAL APPOINTMENTS.

A Washington telegram IN announcer
mart of THE HERALD, this morning,
tells of a visit which a number OF citi--
zens of the Territories paid to Presi'
dent Cleveland, for the purpose of as
pertaining what would be his course in
making appointments to offices in the
Territories. The President Informed
the gentlemen that he would, make his
selections from citizens of the Territor-
les, and that he would listen to recon-
mendations by Democrats of the Ter
ritories, suggestions from politicians in
the States not being needed. This is in
accordance With what THE HERALD said,
several days ago, would be the Presi-
dents course in the matter.
1t makes it a cold day for the Federal
officials already in office, and for the
horde of hungry gentlemen who
have looked longingly upon the
dependencies as providing fat places for
the faithful in politics who could not be
provided for elsewhere. There is less
cause for rejoicing over the tact that
worthy citizens will receive the rewards
of office, than over the circumstance that
the Territories will derive the benefits of
good and honest government in the in
terest of the people. The few salaries
drawn from the national treasury are of
small moment as compared with the
advantages of having officials whose
interests are with those of the people,
and to whose personal advantage it will
be to have an honest administration of
affairs. The manner in which the Ter
ritories have been differed has long
been national scandal. In designat-
ing men for the offices fitness
has never been taken into consideration.
Influence. has been at the bottom of
nine-tenths of the appointments, and a
desire to get rid OF political hacks and
hangers-on has provided the remaining
tenth with places. Not all Territorial
officials are bad, but all were appointed
in direct opposition to the principle
that the people should have a voice in
saving who shall administer the laws. |
Not all the Federal officials in the Terri |
tories are devoid of interest in the Terri |
tories beyond the leading of easy lives
during their temporary sojourn, but
the exceptions are so rare that there can
be no question as to the correctness of
the rule.
President Cleveland having eaid
that be would heed the recon-
menda6ons of local Democrats in
the matter of appointments,
it would be wise for Democrats to or
ganize the party and get themselves
into position where they can act with
some degree ofsystem and effectiveness.
There are Democrats here by the score,
but no party organization and no one is
authoriz ed to speak for anybody Blu
himself. If the party were in shape,
with officers and committees, there
could be intelligent, systematic and
effective action in the matter of sug-
costing to the President and recon-
mending men for pldce. In the absence
of order and system, matters are likely
to become sadly jumbled, and there is
liability OF the local confusion produc-
inga feeling of disgust in the mind of
the President, which viii prove
injurious to this particular Territory.
Leaders among the Democrats should
understand how best to get at this bust
ness, and what steps to take for placing
the local Democracy in aposition where
it can communicate with the President.