The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-22
Plans of Republican Leaders.

The Republican Senators do not now
pretend to conceal their intention OF
opposing and thwarting the Admins
tration by all the methods of political
warfare. They propose to initiate this
crusade 10y a formal attack on the
principal nominations.
1t so happens that some of these
Senators, who claim to be conservative
as compared with others OF their col
leagues, have personal grievances to
redress, caused by the removal of near
friends, kindred, or partisans.
They will lead off by general resolu-
tons calling for the papers in all i'm
portant cases where offensive PARTISAN
ship has been alleged as reason for
dismissal. The Custom Houses, Post
Office, internal revenue service, Land
Offices. MINIS, and bureau officials
will be subjected to this scrutiny. The
diplomatic and Consular appointments
will be investigated on specific charges
that, in several cases, are known to be
already prepared.
Concessions made by the President
or his Cabinet to particular Senators
will count for little when the leaders
prepare plan of assault and require
the party to accept it. Discipline is
one of the cardinal elements of the
Republican organization, and obedience
is a recognized duty on the part of the
faithful.
The result of the fall election will
have 10 effect on this purpose. Mr..
EdmundS, Mr.. Sherman, and Mr..
Logan, who may be said to represent
three shades of the Republican senti-
ment, known that the Administration
is wholly powerless. for two years to
come, to carry any measure through
Congress which fails to receive their
previous approval. Therefore they
will not trouble themselves to organize
opposition on this score, for it is al
ready organized by the common law of
antagonized parties. Hence the NOM
nations offer the first chance of attack,
and they will be utilized at the open
ing of the session for that object.
The main ground of opposition will
be, that the new appointments are as
offensive partisans in general, and in
some instances more so, than the per-
sons who were displaced.
\ few striking examples will only be
needed to rally the party on this issue.
Mr.. Edmunds has a case ready in the
Collectorship at Burlington, Vermont.
Mr.. Logan will urge the case of the
Postmaster at Chicago. Mr.. Sherman
has several charges to prefer, and other
Senators are preparing to unite with
similar assaults. These Senators will
pretend that if the administration had
made the removals, as the result of a
change of parties, they would have
found no fault with it, and would have
submitted uncomplainingly. The pre-
tence has no value, for another would
have been found if it could not be used
as a weapon.
The violent attack on the administra-
ton in the republican platform of the
Saratoga convention, and the course of |
the Mugwump organs, as the professed |
friends of the President, in quickly &C
cepting it, and the candidates who stand |
upon that platform, forshadow very |
clearly the policy that will be pursued
at Washington next winter. Every at
tempt to conciliate these opponents will
not only fail of effect, but will SHARPEN
the hostility, because it will be regard
ed as sign of weakness. The great
aim of the republicans is to break down
the administration from the start by
concerted action, and thus to DESTROY
the efficiency of the democratic organi-
cation for 1883.
Presidential candidates are put aside
in this preparatory work, to avoid any
from personal rivalries.
In fact, all the aSpirants are urged to
zeal in the plan of opposi-
ton, based on the hope of individual
They will be sure to i'm
prove the opportunity.-N. 7. Sun.