The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-03
THE UNHAPPY DEMOCRACY.

A Wall Over the Presidents Order Shutting
the Door Against Ofice-Hunters
Washington Special to Cincinnati inquirer.
The order excluding Democratic ofice-seekers
from the White House from to-day becomes an
unwritten law. 1t is meant to be perpetual
bar; the President wants to be let alone. The
earnestness of his purpose to get removed from
the people is conspicuous in a poster on the
White House door. This tells the Democrats
who want office that the President will not see
them. The posting of such notice is desecra-
ton to memories which cluster about the man
zion. 1t is suggestive of the ways of the sheriff
rather than of the statesman. Three months
ago, when the President was daily snubbing the
Democratic party leaders, he was excused, be-
cause the hope was he would yet be converted
and realize that he owed allegiance to the Demo
cratic party. This hope is still uppermost, but
1t is fast Pickering out.
The President seems to have no sympathy
with the party behind him. and treats it as if un-
clean. FOURTH of ali the important Offices
are in the hands of Republicans. By retaining
this class of public servants he gives the Repub-
lcan leaders the opportunity to boldly declare on
the public stump; as has been done in Ohio, New
York and Virginia, that there are no rascais to
turn out. The sequence is that President Cleve-
land himself brands fallacy the shibboletb
of his own Presidential canvass, which was,
"Turn the rascals out" Further. his course in
this respect is a declaration that he was elected
upon false issues and acquired his high estate by
hoodwinkiEg the honest people.
ALI of these and many other matters Of fact are
known to the leaders of the Democratic party.
They are embarrassed beyond measure. Some
say it will not do to antagonze the President,
for by doing it the Democratic party will be dealt
a dangerous blow. Others swear at their treat
ment like the army in Flanders, but do it under
cover There seem to be no Democratic leaders
of courage enough or manliness enough TO go to
the President and tell him that the alleged sup
port OF his administration by Democrats is not
that it is believed in, but rather acquiesced in,
so that Democrats can get the Offices, which they
oaEht TO have had long ago.
Meanwhile, the leaders are hesitating, Mr.
Cleveland becomes more defiant and exclusive
he seems to be leading the public mind up to a
point that any dictum issued under his royal seal
and sign will be accepted as Democratic no mat
ter how aristocratic it may be. The defense of
his royal order to keep Democrats out of his of
fee is not ingenious. This in brief, is that of
fee seekers must go to the departments. This
would palliate the insult somewhat if the heads
of departments were given authority to act. 1t
is an open secret here that none of them dare
act The Cabinet of Mr. Cleveland is only in
name. 1t is machine having perfunctory duties
to perform. 1t does not think either as whole
part. The President is himself running every
department of the government and his Cabinet
advisers have no more liberty of conscience and
independent action than have the Republican
employees who manage every important bureau
Of the respective departments.
If there is any thing essentially Democratic
about the administration it is not seen with the
naked eye.