Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-02
HOPE FOR OFFICE HUNTERS.
Republican Officials Must Make
Way for ssOOd Democrats.


A Washington special to the New York
World says Concerning the removal of
Appraiser Dent, Gen. Grants brother-in-
law of San Francisco, the Secretary of
the Treasury said this evening there was
no explanation necessary. 1t had been
determined that at 30 important port of
entry us San Francisco Democrat who
was entirely in accord with the Admins
tration should succeed u Republican.
Under the present Administration matters
were to be conducted on business-like
basis, and as the Democratic party was TO
be held responsible for the action of
its officials it was but just that
its own people should hold the
positions. All sorts of charges
and speculations had been indulged
in about Republican rascality in customs
matters, and it had been deemed judicious
TO have the best places filed with men
who would be part of the Presidents
family, politically speaking. As soon as q
Republican office holder was removed
there was hue and cry raised, and de-
mands were made from all quarters for
copy of the charges, if any had been pre-
ferred. This was 10 be discountenanced,
and if Republican was displaced il
would be because he could not be trusted
by a Democratic administration. II was
the only proper way for no cabinet officer
would feel himself secure with subordi-
mates in whom he could not place the
most perfect confidence.
Besides, it must be understood that the
Democratic party had been out of power
o long time, and in some cases caution
must be used in the interest of the public
business, but wherever it was deemed ad-
visable, Democrats would be put on
guard to look after the affairs of Demo-
cratic administration. Within the past
few weeks it had been found necessary to
displace q number of Republicans and
give their positions to Democrats, and by
such action the heads of departments felt
safer,for they did not care to be thwarted
in carrying their policy by having
enemies instead of friends intrusted with
their secrets. Some Republican Office
holders had enieavored to screen them
selves behind the Presidents letter, when
more magnanimous course would have
been for them to resign and not embarrass
the administration by holding on to their
positions. There would have been no
middle course had the election in
November resulted differently, and there
was no reason why the Democratic party
should take care of men who had always
been opposed to it politically, and who
had been for years supported out of the
public treasury.
The secretary mentioned case in which
n prominent Republican had called upon
him TO inquire what was going to be done
about q couple of western collectors of
internal revenue. His reply was that
the President had jurisdiction in these
litters, hut that il it rested with the
secretary of the Treasury alone the in
.umbents would be removed before the
inquiring Republican had left the
treasury department. The response to
this declaration was that it was but Just
and proper, and that no Republican had
q right to expect any other treatment.
Hereafter no attention would be paid TO
demands for charges or documents in the
cases of removed Republican office-holders
beyond the simple statement that their
places belonged to Democrats.