Morning journal and courier., 1885-09-05
COMM INNOVATIONS.

What An Independent Independent
 Thinks About It.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER: Will you permit an unaddressed and unin- terviewsd Independent to offer 6 few sug- gestions called out by your excellent editori- al comments upon Mr. Harrison's appeal to the mugwumps?
 It seems to me that you have stated exact ly the cause of the revolt from the Republi- can party in the late campaign; namely, too much bossism. No term could more fully describe the present condition of the Repub ican party. None know better than they who joined the party in it's infancy what great change has taken place in it's leader ship. It is change from leaders and erea- tors of public opinion to mere tacticians, to men who have no ideas above tactics, shrewd managers, wire pullers-a change in short from statesmen to politicians. The party is now entirely under the control of these men of tactics. The candidate of the Republican party in the last cam paign was brilliant representa- tive of this kind of statecraft. He differed from the average party manager only in capacity. He took the same view of politics and used the same methods, only more shrewdly. The revolt of the Independ- ents was, as you have stated it, distinctively a revolt against bossism.
 This brings me to some of the reasons why vor with the mugwumps, although it is very far from being an ideal administration.
 There is no bossism about it; NIT. C1eve- land is not boss, nor is he the tool of any bosses, nor the leader or instrument of any coterie or ring. The appointments are not made simply because bosses demand them.
 It is an honest candid administration. It does not pretend to be what it is not. It has made no promises that 1t did not intend to fulfill. MT. Cleveland did not promise not to turn Republicans out of office. He promised to enforce the civil service law as it stands, did man can say that he has not faithfully performed both of these promises.
 It is a business administration. It is not one in which land grabs, railroad monopolies, navy contracts and fat jobs generally appear to have any show. No one, not even the Fri bune, accuses it of corruption. do not think the mugwumps expected in Cleveland gen. ius who would change the whole system of our politics. They saw in him only an hon est, intelligent man with plenty of backbone, who promised no more than he meant to do, and who would do ali he promised It is satisfaction enough that they have realized all they expected. It is good while since anyone could say that of any administration. A civil service reform which would prevent a removal of postmasters and collectors with every change of administration is cer tainly very much to be desired, but even that is not an ideal civil service reform which would leave all the Republicans in office and keep all the Democrats out, and yet that is the sort of civil service reform which MT. Harrison, according to his letter, seems to have expected As to what the mugwumps are likely to do They seem to be in favor of honest govern ment and are pretty likely to ally themselves with that party which is honestly in favor of honest government If the Republicans can show that they are that sort of party, that will be rather more effective means of bringing the Independents back than earnest appeals addressed to their leaders. Bolters at this late day are not very likely to take much stock in platforms. The Republican party will not show its true purposes and character any more decidedly than by the kind of men to whom it intrusts it's manage ment and control. The best recipe is the one you have suggested. Send the bosses to the rear. AN INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT.