The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-06-20

and to party good should have been more
than local, factional and selfish. They
should have been Of such character as
to make him pre.eminently deserving at
the hands of the Administration. Thus
being eminently deserving, the recog-
milton on the part Of the President by the
award Of an honorable position to such a
man is not the recognition and reward OF
the mere spokesman. 1t is but doing JUS
tice to the statesman who has rendered
in years past his State and party much
service. II is not a violation Of the the
ory, the spirit or the letter of civil SER
vice reform. 1t gives to the whole doc
trine a true Interpretation, making 1t
more powerful to bring about public good
in governmental affairs than ever springs
from the Jacksonan doctrine that TO
the victors belong the spoils, as that doc
trine has been interpreted and practiced
Entertaining these views upon this
subject, and believing as we do that they
would find their fulfilment in the APP
pointment by the President of the Hon
orable John II. Oberly to the position of
Collector for the port Of Chicago, we fully
endorse the resolution as adopted by the
Mclean County Democratic Committee.
We recognize the fact that Mr.. Oberly
has received token of appreciation and
good will from the President in the ap-
pointment of him to the position Of SUI
perintendent of the Indian School Service,
but we belive he merits greater reward
There IS no man in Illinois who is better
fitted for the position in question, and
there is no man in Illinois who has done
so great and so intelligent service for the
Democratic party Of the State as has he.
He has worked for his party as an editor,
as a member of the Legislature, as party
candidate for State ofiice-the very &C.
ceptance of the nomination to which en-
tailed upon him the greatest pccuniary
loss-and as the chairman Of the State
Central Committee throughout two cam
paigns. Until disappointment to the po-
stion he at present. holds he received no
recognition for his services. He ought
now to be better rewarded, and he ought
to be kept within this State, as the direct
representative of President Cleveland.
The President needs him here, the De-
mocracy of Illinois need him here.
Never was the party in so great need of
intelligent leadership as at this very time,
and we believe that grave mistake will
be made if the President overlooks Mr..
Oberly and bestows the Office upon some
one who is not known throughout the
State, and who is not possessed of the
confidence Of the entire Democratic party
of the State
We know that the appointment of Mr..
Oberly to the position in question would
be the most popular, the most deserving
and the best that could be made. 1t
would be the best for the Administration,
for the great commercial interests of the
Northwest, and for the Democratic party
of the State Of Illinois. 1t would be a
practical fufilment Of the Jeftersonian
test of office as regards capability and hon
esty, coupled with the doing of justice to
one who has spent his time, his energies,
his means, for the benefit of his whole
party, instead of in the qualification of
mere selfish and personal ambition.