Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-15
THE ABSORBING SCRAMBLE.

1t is not necessary for the observer to be
intensely partizan to notice the present
allabsorbing scramble for places under
the new Administration with degree Of
disgust somewhat commensurate with the
boldness and intensity Of the procedure.
Probably it may not be an unusual occur
renee. 1t is not at all probable that the
exhibition is so exclusively peculiar to the
political party whose adherents are now SO
impatiently pounding at the doors of all
the available offices within the domain Of
the government 1t has been long time
since the office-giving power has changed
hands, and the craze for Office at those
times may be forgotten, and the present
rage gains in intensity by standing SO far
removed from its counterpart. 1t has
been said, and it is not SO easily disproved
NOT so easily as it ought to be-that po-
litical parties allow their ardor for reform
to ooze out in pretty notices on trans
parencies, and fancy rhetorical phrases
| in platforms that are more often honOred
in the breech than in the performance"
The campaigns are brilliant shows, and
each party seems to rival the other in its
promises for reform, and its personal pos
session of unassailable virtue, but it re-
quires q man Of remarkable pluck and no
little skill 70 carry even q semblance OF
the reforms, foreshadowed in the campaign,
into any of the active measures Of his ad-
ministration.
1t is remarkable that the Democratic
party has been chosen by an inscrutable
providence to properly introduce the new
appeal for reform in the civil service, and
to give it permanent fusion into the active
law Of the country. For, whatever may
be said of other parties, the maxim, made
sacred canon by Jefferson, ito the victor
belong the spoils," has applied to that
party more than any other, and is less
earnestly repudiated after q victorious
election than during the uncertainties OF
the campaign. 1t requires q very con6d.
ing nature to thoroughly believe that
President Cleveland will be able to
carry out his svowed intention to en-.
force the civil service rules, over the evident
clamorous protest of his party, for he
seems to stand alone in this effort. Mr..
| Hendricks, the man elected with him, is
reported to have called personally on the
President, and pressed his desire that the
civil service folly be abandoned, and the
Offices Of the governpent be turned over
at once to the victorious, also hungry, Dem
ocrats. If this be true, it is rather evident
that the entering wedge has received 9
home-driving blow that is to burst the re
form movement into smithereens, and the
cry will be:
Seeing how soon 1t was done for
We wonder what twas begun for"
The President will not be likely to be
moved to pity for the Republican Office.
holders, who have suddenly received an
almost divine afflatus for the Democratic
party, superinduced BY love for the emol.
uments of Office, and Republicans them
selves will manage to smile when
they see the heads Of the deserters
drop into the official basket. We
are free to say. therefore, that we see
no signs of special encouragement for
the gentlemen who hold out for time at
Washington; for the silver lining of the
darkest clouds th-t may hang over them
now seems to brighten the edges not lit.
tie. Do not be too apprehensive of dan
ger, dear patriots, anxious to serve your
country Do not become too impatient;
if there is not room now q back kitchen
will be put up for your special accommo.
dation. In the meantime the country need
not be especially apprehensive of danger,
because when the governing heads of all
the offices are filled by Democrats, the pen
manship Of the engrossing clerks, whether
it may have Democratic or Republican
flourish, will not matter much to loyal
and patient people.