New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-23
TILE MEN on IRIAL.

IL is made ground of complaint against the
Republicans that in discussing the course OF
the Administration they dwell continually on
one topic, the blunders of the Administration
in the selection of officials. There is much
truth in this charge, but it is not just ground
of complaint. The Republican Journals and
the intelligent and patriotic people for whom
they speak, Judge the Administration by what
it does, and not by what it vaguely hopes or
rashly promises. That this is the only just
course no one can deny. But the Admlnstra-
ton has done nothing to speak OF, except to
labor increasingly in distributing the spolls.
If the party had policy, one could discuss
or criticise that But it is the simple truth that
the Democrats themselves have not the least
idea what their Administration will do, or
wants 20 do or whether it yet has any purpose
about large questions Of public policy. The
silver question appeared at the outset TO be an
exception, but later circumstances have war
ranted much doubt whether the President and
his advisers are not trying to fix up some shall
low COMPROMISE by which the silver men shall
be satisfied and the burden thrown Oh the banks.
II is to be hoped that this may not prove the
fact, and Republican journals have not been
slow to give the President credit for whatev er
has been intelligently done by the Treasury
Department in the right direction. AS to the
tariff question, who can guess the purpose of
the Administration 7 Mr.. Mannings circulars
look one way, and the personal alliance OF the
Administration with men like Senator German,
Mr.. Barnum, Mr.. Payne and especially Mr..
Randall, looks decidedly the other way. 1t Will
be possible to discuss the policy of this Adj
ministration when it gets one. On some minor
matters, il has deserved and has received fair
measure of credit. 1t has done right about the
Indian lands. but the question is not one of
large National consequence. The same may be
said of the continued enforcement OF laws
framed by Republicans In Congress, and en-
forced by Republican Presidents, for the sup
preston of polygamy. AS to the enforcement
of laws at the South. and the protection of
citizens there in the exercise of their rights, the
profuse promises of the President look one way,
and most of his appointments the other. Yet
of all questions with which he has to deal this
Is by far the most important, and 1t is likely to
prove for a Democratic President the most
difficult.
Thus we are compelled to discuss the distri-
button of patronage because the Administra-
ton does nothing else Of Importance. BY its
acts in that matter it has cast great deal of
light on its professions regarding Civil Service
reform. Incidentally it has shown where it Is
likely to be found weak and to fail. Thus In
these appointments we have not only test, but
in some respects the best test that could be de-
sired, of the real character and quality of the
new men in power. If they cannot resist the
demands Of party on this question, they will
not on others. If they can, we may expect the
same measure of integrity IN the construction
of pledges, and of patriotism in applying them,
which the Administration may show In dealing
out the patronage, and In deciding whether to
remove Republican officials
Republicans have been tempted, il must be
confessed, to dwell upon this topic with much
zest. It may be doubted if any other President
ever made so many absurd and discreditable
blunders az Mr.. Cleveland has made already.
His proclivity for getting thirds, and noto-
rious political scamps and morally and profess
sionally unfit persons, into stations Of high
Importance and responsibility, could not be
passed over in silence even if he had shown un
swerving fidelity Of purpose. But these APP
pontments are more important still as evil
dence of the character of the Administration
and of its probable course as to other matters.
Its disingenuous and pettifoging construction
of its own pledges aud its own duties, means
great deal The phrase offensive partisan
ship discloses q vast deal more than the
Administration realizes. 1t has retained some
faithful men, but has discharged Others by the
score who are equally faithful, thus showing
either lack of intelligence almost Incredible,
or an inHrmity of purpose, wretched waver
ing between two opinions, which must certainly
prove fatal to any President, and especially
to one occupying Mr.. Clevland's peculiar posi-
ton. Inconsistency is not the worst. There is
much to indicate that the President is willing
to palter with his word-to @keep the word of
promise to the car, but break it to the hope of
honest men.