The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-22
GRANDPA JONES MUST GO.
The Mugwump Quadrilateral Have
Given Orders for His Removal.
Lucius Swift Told the President What Would
Happen if He Remained, and Fright
ened Him Into AcquieScence.

that might have occurred while Dir. SwlIt was
not here-and are grateful Yes, he has actual
3y returned; he is here and business will lmIne-
diately be resumed at the old stand. In fact
business has already been resumed Al one
time in her history London had three remark
able men.-the three taiiors Of Tooley street
INDIANAPOLIS goes her one better-we have four.
We did have five.
Five little ulugwumps feeling very sore;
Jones made one a carrier, and that left only four,
which took away 20 per cent Of this compact
little organization.
So Mr. Swift has returned from Washington, and
yesterday afternoon, the first opportunity, he
tells the why and wherefore of this very re-
markable visit Mr. Swift says in the Indian
apolis News:
''The Independents of Indianapolis during the
campaign preached the doctrine of civil-service
reform, and upon this ground urged the election
OF Cleveland TO the presidency. The Democrats
acquiesced in it and helped to circulate the doc
trne. We felt that we had some influence in
the election, and from assurances given us we
believed and affirmed that the civilservice laws
would be honestly observed. We have now dis
covered here in the Indianapolis postofice what
seems to have been quiet but determined attempt
to nullify the civil service regulations. The cam
pagn had been conducted 18th the tact under
standing tGat mere clerks and labOrerS should not
DE removed from Office, whether they came unOer
the civil service law or not. Even Mr.. Hen.
bricks never proposed TO remove but one half Of
the government employees. But the postmaster
here, when appointed, turned out all persons not
under the civil service requirements with SIN
gle exception. He dismissed four women under
circumstances that made it the meanest political
outrage ever committed in Indiana He dis
missed every man from the classified service for
no reason whatever except that they were lie
publicans, and he had promised their places to
IlApN bad FpC-, IYncn q
also expressed an intention to dismiss all but a
few Republicans III his employ in order to make
places for Democrats. He declared his intention
not to appoint any Republican, no matter how
high examination he may have passed
There was no course left us but to appeal to
che President. | went to Washington and laid
before President Cleveland a petition setting
forth these facts, and asking for the removal of
Postmaster Jones on the ground of offensive par
tisanShip for repeated violations of the civil
service law in spirit and intent, and for an ex-
press determination to continue in those viola
tons The President gave me a special inter
view. He took my petition and went it in
detail in judicial spirit. | felt myself in the
presence Of Judge and not of a partisan He
heard with great patience what had to say.
'The impression | gathered that the
President will enforce the civil service and every
other law without regard to consequences. The
only question in this case is whether the alega-
tions set up in the petition are true. Ii Post
master Jones denies, we offer to prove them if
we prove Them it will be the Presidents duty to
remove Jones' and as he is man who does his
duty, it is my opinion that Jones will be
moved.
''Of all postmasters at the head Of Offices gov
erned by the civilserv law, Mr.. Jones is the
only one attempting to run upon the old fash
Toned spells system. He undoubtedly feels him
self safe in this as he is generally regarded as
the Vice presidents man., and the Vce-presi-
dents views are we'll known. | have no doubt
but that the five or six leading Democrats of
obtaining public employment by fair competl
ton, and that they would be glad to see the
civil-service law quietly nullifed in this State
1t is my belief, however, that it will be disap
pointing mistake to any of them who
is q bigger man than the President;
and this remark will apply to all of them
in combination. The people of Indiana, in any
issue. are going to support the President, though
the Office seekers and office holders may not If
the facts therefore, are against Mr.. Jones, he
will find the shelter afforded by these men very
leaky.
LAS an instance of the motives governing the
President, was representing to him that in any
struggle occurring between him and any set of
persons as to whether the spoils system could
continue or be broken down there could be but
one result, he interrupted me and said: That
has nothing to do with it The only way to do
IS to find out what is ri CHIT and then DO it with
out any regard to the result"
Mr.. Swift whohas returned from Washington.
actually sew President Cleveland with his own
eyes, and the News says that Mr.. Swift returns
with the conviction that President Cleveland is
clvll-servce reformer and that the Independ-
ents were not deceived in the man in advocating
his election. The petition for the removal of
the postmaster was signed by A A McKain
Lindley Vinton, Lewis Rowland and Lncius
Swift--the grand quadrilateral in whose hands
our destnes remain since the heartless desertion
of Alfred Harrison.
HOW MIR. JONES BEARS IT.
Looking across the street yesterday afternoon.
Journal reporter saw the portly form of Grand
father Jones in the postoffce lobby, cane in hand.
preparing to emerge from the north postern of
the government building. Grandfather Jones is
deliberate in movement, and the reporter bv a
slight acceleraton of speed easily crossed the
street and engaged the postmaster while he vet
stood upon the broad door step. 1t was delicate
question that the reporter, purely in the line of
duty, was about to PROFOUND to the venerable
Democrat who, poised upon the top step was
about to descend. How to do it as gently AS
possible! 1t finally took shape: Have you seen
the News this afternoon, Mr. JONES'"
Mr.. JOness face was uumoved, but a strange
chuckle came from under his ample waistcoat.
Surely the unfortunate man had not seen it.
He did not know the imminent peril he was in.
He who held the lives and fortunes of clerks and
carriers in his hand was himself about to suffer
~ mean," resumed the reporter, 'the inter
view with Lucius Swift-the petition for your
removal signed by A A. McKain. Lewis How
land. Lucius Swift and"-at the last name the
reporter, quite broken down, could merely gasp
--"Lindley Vinton!"
The commotion under the postmaster's vest
grew wilder and more turbulent Still he said
nothing. His features worked couvulsiyely; his
hands shook. He turned his back on the repor-
ter with intent to hide his emotion. strange
tumutuous sound was heard. while the entire
pastmasteral anatomy seemed about to suffer
disruption. His cane fell from his hand
1t took some time for Grandfather Jones to re-
cover his stick. When he had done SO, and
turned his face. which was very rosy, to the re-
porter, traces of emotion yet fingered in his