The Indianapolis journal., 1885-05-03
AssAgLING THE PRESIDENT.
increasing Width and Depth of the Breach
In the Democratic Party.


i'm the Democratic Party.
Washinston Special to Cincinnati Enquirer.
The condemnation of President Clevelands
policy, as publicly set forth by Senator Eustis,
of Louisiana, meets the approval of the majority
of the Democratic hosts. He voices the discon-
tent and distrust which is now quietly manifest
ed. The difference is, he has the courage to tell
the President Enthusiastically the Democratic
estimate of his administration, while others who
feel as he does do not have the manliness to tell
him the truth. This latter class continue to
fawn at the feet of power They live in the
hope that they will yet get as reward the
Offices which belong to them by right of political
conquest.
1t is announced with somewhat of flourish
in certain quarters that the President does not
read the criticisms on his administrative policy.
This may be true. If it be true, it serves to
show that he cannot comprehend the depth and
width Of the breach he is making for the Demo
cratic party. A wise administrator would seek
to win the applause of the benefciaries of his
srDst 1t seems, though that Mr.. Cleveland is
content to get the approval of those whose De-
mocracy would be promptly challenged in any
Democratic stronghold.
The fundamental principle of the administra-
tion thus far has been to keep the rascals In"
All OF the appointments yet made do not cover
enough ground to make an impression In this
city important places not protected by the
infamous civil-service law remain
changed Not single Cabinet officer
has displaced any of the department. chief
clerks. Heads of divisions in all the depart
ments remain without fear, and laugh in their
sleeves at the efforts of working, worthy Demo
Gratis to displace them The Democrats of the
land do not have faith in such class of sub
Ordinates, and many refrain from writing Cab
met officers because of the fear that their letters
would never reach them
team be stated as a fact that the administra-
tion would now be wrecked were it not for the
hope that it will yet be converted The Demo
cratic leaders are muzzed. They hold their
peace because of the promise that good store
awaits the future And yet the days roll into
weeks and the procrastinating policy becomes
more exasperating If thore is not a change soon
Ehe volcano of discomfort will belch forth in such
away as to leave the Louisiana senator's opening
gun only faint echo.
1t will not take many more weeks to force the
President to take stand either for or against
his political party. The middle ground he now
stands on will disappear under his feet
1t may be asked if the President is indorsed in
his policy by his Cabinet advisers. 1t may be
answered that openly they yield ready acquies
cence to it. Quietly they denounce it and won
der what it means. They do not want to break
with the President. and yet do not seem to have
the courage to combat him. They are no more
with a perfunctory approval With the excep-
ton OF Dir. Bayard not one of the Cabinet has
made an appointment upon his responsible
ity. 1t would have been more creditable to the
President had he restrained his Premier who
seems to have gone into body -snatching" busi-
ness to rehabilitate with Offices those verging on
the grave.
1t does not require the horoscope of the astrol-
oyer to anticipate the result of much longer
policy of delay. Another month of it will break
the camels back. The representatives of SOW
ereign States will not forever stand at the outer
gates pleading supplicants. Behind them
awai. constituencies of Democrats who have not
done battle for quarter of century to elevate
few men. Their claims for party reward must
either be recognized or repudated. These will
force things to an issue. If the President in
tends to fortify his administration with Demo
cratic executors of the trust handed him by the
people, he will put behind him wall of power
Ii he desires 10 feed these men on idle promises
and delusive hopes he must not expect their con
tinned support. While there is no impending
change IN the Cabinet, its recast would be bene-
Acial. The dignity of a Cabinet Office would
seem to call for talent capable to admins
ter 1t And yet from the statesmen com
posing it, who of their number has
made an impression2 Take the antithesis, and
one does not need a lantern TO discover the thor
ough Incompetence of the Postmaster general
Here is an officer with fifty thousand postoffices
ct his command. Nearly two-thirds of them
are subject TO his pleasure. Every small Office
ds the campaign headquarters Of the party of
opposition. After two months OF .laboredn
thought policy is formulated. This is to give
in each county in the Union onefourth of the
Dosto1ices to the Democrats, and retain tho re-