The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-27
criticising the Administration.


There Is some discomfort throughout the
country at the slow progress the Cleveland
Administration is making in effecting changes
in the offices. We think it is too soon to
form opinion on the Administration. Too
much haste would in all probability have
COMPLICATED affairs, and might have resulted
in inetiieiency in the public service, bringing
odium upon the government and the party.
Il must be remembered that this is large
country, and it requires considerable time
to reorganize its government Itishrst to be
learned where ineficiency and extravaganza
exist. and then the task of selecting persons
competent and willing to correct the errors.
The Republicans, in the last campaign,
charged that the Democratic party, being IN
experienced in the affairs of government.
would be incompetent to successfully admin
lister office. They predicted that a change
would so disorganize the government that
business and society would be shaken, and
evil times would fall upon this people.
The people, however, trusted in the we'll
known conservative character of Mr.. Cleve-
land, and chose him to preside over the des-
TIMES Of the country By his cautious pro-
cedure he has eontradicted the predictions OF
his opponents, and the people are more pros
porous and contented than they have been
for some years.
They see prudence in the policy Of the Adj
ministration, and are content to trust to the
wisdom of the President and his Cabinet.
Changes are being made in the more impor-
tant places as rapidly as possible without i'm
pairing the efficiency of the service or viola
ting the civil service law. Every day wit
nesses changes, and the surplus officials are
being pruned out wherever found. As to the
latter there were thousands OF the payroll of
the government who were not needed, and
who were drawing salaries without rendering
honest labor therefor, buk were no doubt good
party workers.
Mr. Cleveland is going slow, but sure, as
he should do, and there can be no just critl-
cism on that score. Thepeople are interested
most in good government and economical
government. These, of course, can be Sc
cured through Democratic agents, and should
be, but a complete change cannot be made at
once. Now that several months have been
given to study of the different departments
of the government, and the new appointees
have become familiar with their duties,
changes can be made more rapidly without
impairing efficiency, and the next few months
will witness many and radical ones.
The criticisms on the Postofice Depart
ment are in measure just, as there is no
obstacle in the way of changing postmasters
at the smaller Offices The commissions of
incumbents can be revoked at any time, and
these are the places the people are most
interested in. Mr.. Villas seems to be over
careful in his department, and he has been
made to understand recently that that is the
public Judgment on his administration. He
will have to move little more rapidly; in
accordance with the general sentiment of the
country, or he will bring down upon him.
self such criticism that will be quite disa
greeable to him.
The people will find, at the end of the first
year of Democratic rule, that there will be
vast saving in the expenditures of the
government. Economy viii be the rule in
every department, and public officials will
maintain the place of public servants, and not
be masters of the people, as heretofore.