Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-05-01
IT'S ALL HUMBUG.
rho Pearson Case Not Indicative OF De;
votion to Civil-Service Reform.

L
rho Pearson Case Not Indicative OF DC;
votion to Civll-sorvice Reform.
The mugwumps who take to them.
selves tho name of the Massachusetts
Reform Club held q meeting recently
and resolved to this cilcct
Rcsolrrd, Thatwc regard the roappontmeni
| of Mr., Pearson with especial satisfaction bo-
| cause II affords strong encouragement to bo
| love that the President is determined to ap-
,ly tho principles of Clvil.servico reform In
1nscs not within the lottcr OF existing law, so
disconnected with the policy of tho Admins
tratlon that the political opinions of those who
mold them aio unmportant.
Looking at this matter without prcju-
dice and with disposition to do exact
Justice to the President, il must be said
that the appointment of Pearson does
not indicate that Mr.. Cleveland "is de-
termined to apply the principles OF
ciYil-scrvico reform in cases not within
the letter of existing law" for the rca-
son that his case stands solitary and
alone, while opposed to it are arraycd
u number of removals of officials who
are the peers of Mr.. Pearson in every
element of experience, qualification,
faithful service, and whose Offices,
equally with that held by. Pearson.
were $50 disconnected with the policy
of an Administration that the polit cal
opinions OF those who hold them are
unimportant.
1t Is all fudge for the mugwumps to
attempt to make out that tic Pearson
case had any moral significance what
ever. Mr.. Cleveland felt thai he was
indebted 10 that element He knew
very well that from tho beginning the
people had been watching with intent
curiosity TO see in what manner he
would pay his debt TO them All of his
appointments had been of Demo- Gratis of
the st aightest sort. 1t pleased the
muewumps all at once to make point
in favor of the retention of Pearson.
With singular unanimity they joined
from all over the country in making it
plain to him that the New York post
Office given to Pearson for ano her term
would square obligations between them,
and at the same time be accepted by
them as a signal proof of his adherence
to Their favoritc hobby. Cleveland saw
his opportunity and paid his debt.
There is no doubt whatever that he
took that view of the matter. If he had
not feltunder obligations to the mug
wumps and had every reason to believe
that the course he adopted would dis
charge thcm, Mr.. Iearson would not
have been reappointcd. 1t is well
known that other considerations re-
enforced the mugwumps' demands but
10y themselves tlcy would not h We
been wcighty enough to prevent the
Office from going into control of Il good
Democrat
MIR Cleveland is in no great hurry,
but his course so far shows that, pro-
ceeding with deliberation, he Will re-
move all Republican oflicc-holders
above the graded service and fill their
pieces with Democrats. If this is not
so does any one suppose that such men
as Clarke, Crowell, Chesley, and many
Others whose heads have fallen, would
have been supplante.l by men who can
not possibly fill their places with equal
efficiency until years spent in Office
shall have made them equally ac-
quainted with the duties incident TO
their positionsp Efficiency, honesty
and fidelity in the discharge of official
duties are qualities that Mr.. Cleveland
no doubt appreciates. but no act of his
indicate that they will operate to pre-
yeat the removal OF Republicans to
make way for Democrats, unless, a in
Pearsons case, there is point to be
made growing out OF political obiiga-
tions incurred in the past. Further
MORE we have proof from his alleged
admissions, as published in the Sunday
Hcraid, that the motive that governed
him in his course with regard to
Schurz, Curtis Jones and Bennett was
to repay them with political prefer
ment as direct reward for the cxcr-
else of their political influence toward
selecting him President. -NationaI Re
sDUjicu2.