The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-23
WHAT rs THE ADMINISTRATIONS

WHAT Is THE ADMINISTRATIONS
The notion of William Walter Phelps seems
to be that Cleveland is making good admin
istration for the people, but, in so doing, is
making mistake It cannot be that this
is the Blaine idea of government
delphia Press
There was no such an idea in the interview
of Mr.. Phelps, and it could not be intelli-
gently read to gain such an impression. What
Mr.. Phelps said was that Mr.. Cleveland. in so
far as he was making good administration
for the people, was not making good one for
the Democratic party; and this we apprehend
is not only sthe Blaine idea Of government"
but is the idea of every Republican who be-
lieves that the domination Of the Democratic
party, with its present spirit and purpose,
would be inimical to the highest public in
terests It certainly cannot be questioned
that every good and praiseworthy thing Mr..
Cleveland has done has been un- Democratic,
while all the questionable and improper things
have been as distinc lively Democratic. In so
far as his administration has received popular
approval, it is because of whatit has withstood
of the spirit of the clainorous "party" behind
it, and of what it has done in pursuance of
principles and plans adopted by the Republican
principle in politics or administration In
deed, has his administration thus far been con-
Quoted upon any principle or method at all;
but has it not rather been series Of indi
vidual personal acts, having no relation the
one to the other, some of which have met with
approval and some with disapproval9 He has
been conplimented for reappointing Postmas
ter Pearson; and, taking that act at the full
estimate placed upon it by the mugwumps
themselves let US give him full credit.
But has he dismissed "Gene" Higgins
from the Treasury, which was furiously
demanded by the same people who opposed
the New York postofice appointment Has
he ever permitted himself to utter syllable
of disapproval Of Secretary Lamar's act in
closing the Interior Department because Of
the death of the most Infamous scoundrel in
American political history, although that act
was received with almost uniform disapproval,
even in the SOUTH Has Mr.. Cleveland ever
allowed himself to disavow in the slightest de-
gree the act of General Black, in requesting
the resignation of Miss Sweet, the Chicago pen
sion agent which request was received with
howl of indignation from the papers that blew
themselves red in the face with joy because
of the Pearson appointment In his diplo-
matte appointments Mr.. Cleveland has made
at least two such egregious mistakes that it
would be little less than an insult to
send his appointees to the countries to which
they are to be accredited. Let us have some
sort of catalogue of the great acts of admin
istratiye reform performed by Mr.. Cleveland.
He has not made the clean sweep Of Office
holders expected by his party, and promised
by Mr.. Hendricks in his Circle Park speech;
and this and this only, is what commends his
administration to the general public. In this
view, and in so far, his administration is anti
Democratic; and that is what Mr.. Phelps
meant and said, and is doubtless the "Blaine
idea of government as the Press puts it.
AT least, it is the Republican idea and, we
may add, it is the George William Curtis idea;
for he said in the Chicago convention that the
Democratic party fell from power as con-
spiracy against human rights, and seeks to
regain power as a conspiracy for spoils.
Such party cannot be reformed by even
Mr.. Cleveland, so as to make it harmonious
with the best good of the country.