The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-09-09
REPUBLICAN CLERKS.
Assessed by Republican State Committee
Afraid to Pay the Partisan Tax.
A Variety of PhilOsOphic Specuiations, In
eluding Some Comments on Civil Service
Reform During the Administration of
President Taylor Other Matters.
Special to the Sentinel,

WAsHINGToS. Sept. viii those Repub-
lican departmental clerks who are being as
sessed by the Republican committee, respond.
or will they plead the statute of limitation
and contribute no more? Their action will
be regarded with the widest interest.
Why are those individuals upon the pay
roll of the country to-day? They are hav-
ing good time, cash in pocket, and pie for
dinner. Whatever there is in the way of
soft place, and soft thing in this life, they
are certainly having. Compared with
them the other sons and daughters of toll
are merely step-children around the family
board. Wherefore this evident favoritism;
simply for the reason that they were Re-
publicans For all that they are indebted
TO the Republican party. Its bounty and
beneficence has enrolled them to tread on
Brussels, recline on velvet, fare sumptuously
and draw fat pay.
To-day the grand old party-I use the
term in no ironical sense-is in hard luck.
1t calls for help. What will the Republican
do? VIII he contribute to place it in power
and purple again, or will he leave it out in
the SObbing rain to perish of famine.
Some philosophers assure us that the Re
publican party survived its usefulness; but
that il is the beneficiary of the department
clerk there is no question But for II he
would never have had official and the cor
responding social existence so long eniOyed.
He is its favOrite son. taken from 10, 900 sons
altogether lovely. VIII he contribute to its
relief, or will he, from the window of
Washington Office, quietly watch the pro-
cessiOn move over the hill to the poor-house?
My eyes are upon him.
Here is an occasion for the aspiring Re
publican to achieve distinction and win the
admiration of mankind Now is the accepted
time. The Carthagenian woman sold her
Jewels to defend her city. England is mis-
tress of the seas to-day for the reason that
sixty years ago the average Briton was sell
ing his shirt for money with which to put
down the French. Nothing glorious in party
country was ever achieved without per-
sOnal sacrifice.
Is the Department clerk destitute of graft
tude or lOyaltyg What would be his course
if in his estimation it was sure to come again
into power? His patriotism will now deter
mine whether il shall live or die. The exam
pie of his contribution, or if that is not al
lowed his ready resignation, to devote him
= self TO party service, will determine its fu-
ture. The Republican party can be restored
and the Department clerk can bring about
that restoration. More potent than all the
campaign speeches that orators can make or
the presses can print, would be the example
of his resignation to enter the canvass in
devotion to party so SelfieSs would be worth
a thousand voters for every resignation. 1t
would be personal sacrifice for the good of
the party that would force George Bancroft
10 write another chapter, to say nothing
about James G.. Blaine. Not only my eyes,
since L have come TO think, but the eyes of
the world are upon them. BY refusing 10
make this sacrifice they dishOnOr the Repub-
lican party and show that their own
past political life l. one OF false pretenSe.
m 4 II
the Republic rested upon the party that has
voted the rebellion down at every election
since Lees surrender. all his cOuntrys
hopes are centered in his party. He knows
his duty, will he do il not?
a@a
General Taylor came to the Presidency as
a civil service refOrmer. Military men eX-
clusively because of their military achiev-
ments have never excited large enthusiasm
with the American people as candidates for
executive office. The acknowledged greatest
minds of the country have disdained or at
least avoided referring to Washington in
comparison. / believe the inscription on
the sword presented by Frederick the Great,
of Prussia, to be the absolute truth. "From
the greatest soldier in Europe to the greatest
soldier in the world
ConQuering the British at New Orleans was
merely an incident in the life of Andrew
Jackson. Before becoming a soldier he had
through areputatiOn acquired in politics he
secured his commission. 1t may be
said of General Taylor and General Grant
that they are the only Presidents chosen
because of their service in war. But the
Whig party, recognizing the fact that its
candidate could not run upon his war
record alone, sought to quicken a sentiment
in favor of civil service reform, and was sue
cessful. The people very naturally are
quick to suspicion that something may not
I
The idea of change is never particularly
disagreeable TO the great mass of American
voters, and sometimes to secure it
they will take risks as they did
last fall when the Democratic party
was returned to power The central idea OF
the sentiment that eliminated in the cleo
ton of Mr.. Cleveland was open the books,
new men in every department of the Gov
eminent, complete change.
The military record of the Whig chief was
merely one feature of the campaign that re-
suited in the election of General Taylor to
the Presidency, and played more effec-
tive part than the ''WoOlly Horse did for
Fremont. General Taylor was civil SER
vice reformer. The only difference between
fOld Rough and Ready and Mr.. Cleveland
was this: The former use the term "active
partisan" instead of offensive partisan"
There were appointments made by Polk
after the election of Taylor just as there
were appointment made by Arthur after the
election OF CteFelanQ- DuC Taylor ruled out
all such as frauds upon the incoming admin
istration. Taylor would have made short
work of the Lafayette Postmaster, whom
Cleveland accepts.
The four years for which Taylor was
elected and Filimour served is not regarded
as a successful administration, for the reason
that public sentiment did not approve filling
places of trust with the Presidents political
friends. At every point il was: Remote
unfriendlv, melancholy, slow What could
a Wing do with Democratic clerks2 As an
experiment it proved great failure so great
that was never seriouly tried by any party
responsible for the affairs of Government
from the the election of Pierce until the de-
feat of the last Republican President.
JAP TURPES.