New-York tribune., 1885-01-03
MR.. CLEyELANDS TROUBLES,

Hs
r. ia not strange that Governor Cleveland Is
reluctant to take into his Cabinet the strongest
men of his party. Tallow candles cannot shine
very brightly in close proximity to suns. Meh
like Lincoln and Garfield could well afford TO
associate with themselves the ablest ana most
popular of their competitors for the nomiha-
ton; neither had reason to fear that he "ou'u
be eclipsed by the brightest of them. seward
Chase and Stanton were powerful, but MI
Lincoln was always the chief. But tho party
which is now preparing TO take control OF the
Government has not dared to select strong
representative leader for tho Presidency
Mr. Cleveland has no experience, but Attle
knowledge of public men or affairs, ana no
brilliant qualities, and the contrast between
such President and Cabinet composed OF the
abest men OF his party would be most palntui'
Besides. Mr.. Cleveland may be pardoned II ho
does not want to raise melons for somebody else
to eat. He would like TO be President ioi
little more than fifteen months without n
Republican Senate to restrain him. BY this
time he is painfully aware that the Senate viii
not be disposed to favor his aspirations, for tho
next two years at least. The new Senate viii
be Republican, and will hold the power. to
confirm all appointments until the close OF the
short session, March 4, 1887. Even IL the
Democrats could secure majority in tho
Senate at the elections of 1886. there could
hardly be O sufficient pretext for calling an
extra session of Congress, and without one,
Mr.. Cleveland could not get any Congressional
help until the beginning of the regular session
in December, 1887. Then there will be left
only fifteen months of Mr.. Clevelands term,
and he will be hampered during most OF that
period by the Presidential campaign OF 1888
and its emergencies. 1t is no wonder II he
regards the te1m for which he has been chosen
as merely stepping -stone to another ana more
satisfactory term, to which he wants to DO
elected, and in which he may be able to exercise
some power without Republican restraint. But
strong men of his party, If taken into the
Cabinet would be likely to nse their oppor-
tunities to secure nomination for themselves.
With President as inexperienced as Mr..
Cleyeland, and as little acquainted with tho
leading men Of the party, a Secretary OF the
Treasury as strong as Mr.. Buyard would not
find 1t difficult to shape the policy OF the
Administration so as to get all tho credit him.
self. and have Mr.. Cleveland to shoulder all the
blame.
The delay and uncertainty about the selection
of Mr.. Bayard and other strong men for the
Cabinet, it is quite likely, results from grow
ing desire of Mr.. Cleveland not to have any
department of the Government so managed as
to promote the interests of rival candidate for
1885, The place which Mr.. Bayard desires,
according to common report, Is one which
Mr. Cleveland does not want possible can
didate to fill. Mr.. Pendleton would also be an
object of suspicion in any place of strength,
and SO would Mr.. Randall, or Mr.. Mcdonald.
If 1t were not for the looks Of the thing, Mr..
Cleveland might try to make up Cabinet OF
| men weaker than himself who would be
content to serve as mere clerks or tools.
Another and most serious difficulty Is that
the Democratic party has no strong men to
spare from its ranks in Congress. In the
House, the Democratic party would be crippled
| without Mr.. Randall in the Senate, it would
make a great hole In the party to take away
Mr.. Bayard. Tho coming President has
several matters to consider before he makes up
his Cabinet, and it is not strange that he seems
provokingly slow about it to the numerous
aspirants and their friends.