Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-02-26
the LEADING IDEAS.
All the Cobwebs and All the Corruption
Will BE Swept Away.

All the Cobwebs and All the Corruption
Will Be Swept Away.
The leading issue of the Democratic
party in the Presidential campaign was
reform. The Republican party, with
its policy of centralism, was fast rivet-
ing itself upon the Government, and it
was clearly seen that if it was allowed
to retain its power much longer our
boosted republican form would prove a
failure. An oligarchy was entrenching
itself at Washington, and corruption
and tyranny prevailed in high places.
The office-holders formed an army
which the ringsters used to support
their evil cause, and it was manifest to
all honest, iberty-loving men that I'M
less the Republican party could be
overthrown the country would be
ruined.
The Democratic party had been de-
frauded and defeated so often that
many of the older party workers had
become almost disheartened; but the
brave and patriotic leaders determined
never to give up, and in 1884 deter
mined to make another gallant fight
With reform as the issue, and with q
tried, trusty and fearless reformer as
the standard bearer, the Democracy put
on renewed strength and went forth to
win. Honest Republicans who were
disguised with ringism and Republican
corruption, allied themselves with the
reform party, and did efficient work in
defeating the party in power.
Never was political victory won by
fairer methods; never did political
victory inspire greater confidence
Democrats who had always kept heart
reioiced; Democrats who had become
disheartened over continued defeat re-
joiced; Independent Republicans, who
cared more for good government than
otto people in every part of this broad
land sent up huzzas when the election
returns showed that the majority of
electoral votes belonged to Grover
Cleveland.
Now what do we understand by re-
form? In the first place, the leaks in
the public Treasury must be stopped.
The jobbers, the Star-route thieves, and
the partisan supernumaries must be
gotten rid of. The first step toward
this reform will be Democratic Cab
met, selected from the wisest men in
the party.
just on the eve of the new admins
tration the party in power is using
every effort to thwart the will of the
people by appointing partisans to Office
and making their commissions read
four years from date. In every State
complaint is being made that Repub-
ans who were appointed for terms of |
four years are resigning, so that other
can take their places
and entrench themselves behind |
the Civil-Service law. This high
handed scheme will not work. The !
holders who engage actively in politics
shall forfeit their offices; it provides
that men appointed for partisan pur-
poses shall be removed. If the Repub-
licans are allowed to fill all the offices
with partisans the object of Democratic
must not be. We have Endorsed every
utterance of Mr.. Cleveland on Civil
Service Reform, and we rejoice to know
that nothing can swerve him from his
policy. The public is indulging in fear
ment that Mr.. Cleveland will not be
quick to remove all the Republican APP
pointees who have received their COM
mission from the death-bed Administra-
ton for the purpose simply of keeping
out Democrats.
As we have said frequently there are
thousands of Republicans in the Depart
ments who have violated the Civil
Service law by responding to the black
mail circulars of the Republican finance
There are thousands who
nave grossly violated the law by taking
IN active part in the Republican cam
oaigns. These men are subject to re-
noval. On the other hand there are
many Republicans in office who have
proved themselves efficient and law
observing; who have observed the Civil
Service law to the letter. These men
will not be removed. But few if any of
he appointments made since the cleo
ion come under this head.
The reform boom will be taken up by
Mr.. Cleveland on the 4th OF March,
md all the cobwebs and all the corrup-
ion will be swept away. 1t may take
ime to accomplish the great work, but
n less than year we predict that the
federal offices will be so filled and man
,ged as to give the utmost satisfaction
o the honest public. VA