Smyrna times., 1885-08-12

THE fact that the Civil Service Com
missiOners entered upon an invcstigA-
ton of the charges against Aquila
Jones, vice-President Hendricks ap-
pOintee to the indianapolis postOilice,
for violating the law in wholesale dis
charges of employees and the appoint
ment in their places of his own parti-
zans causes Frank LesIie's Illustrated
Newspaper to say;
''The question now is: Will the
Vice-President set up party in Oppo-
sitiOn to his superiOr?-is the Crown
Prince to head the hostility to the
throne? 1t is obvious that the Demo-
cratic party is seriously divided as to
the wisdom of Mr.. CleVeland's policy,
and that vast majority Of its mem
bers despise the system of competitive
examination for office, and are in open
or secret sympathy with MesSrs. Hen
bricks and Jones. 1t is declared that
in Indiana the Democrats are almost
unit in their support, and Senator
Voorhees, has offered his services to the
postmaster gratuitOusly, and offered to
and in the Senate. Mr.. Jones denies
that he has violated the law. and courts
inquiry As presiding officer of the
Senate, Mr.. Hendricks will find him
self the inevitable centre of the party
malcOntents and marplOts; and it is
believed that Democrats in Congress
will make a serious effort at the com
ing session to effect repeal of the
Civil Service Laws which Mr.. Cleve-
land has repeatedly approved, and
which he has, with more or less energy,
been trying to enforce. If this attack
is made on the Administration, it may
succeed in splitting the Democratic
party, and even placing in a minority
for time the Mugwump President"
as the spOils wing unhesitatingly calls
Mr.. Cleveland, but it can scarcely re-
suit in destroying the Civil Service
Laws. These were passed by Il union
of the more thoughtful elements of
both parties, in obedience to a popular
demand, and Republicans will stand
by the refOrm-at least enough of them
to perpetuate it. If such fight comes
it will scarcely be the fault Of Mr.
Cleveland. The Administration will
not be "Tylerized," but the party that
elected him will have become perfid-
ious to its trust in attempting tc crush
him for enforcing the laws he is sworn
to execute. 1t may be remarked in
this connection that Secretary Lamar
has written to DOrman P. Eaton, Chair
man of the Civil Service Commission, a
most cordial letter, showing that he is
earnestly cooperating in the enforce
ment of the measures for com petitiVe
appointment.
Few Congressman sincerely like
Civil Service Law; for the spOils sys-
TEN enabled Congressman to keep a
grip on their places, whether they were
WOrthily filled or EOt-tO control NOM
mating conventions in spite of the peO-
pie, by their official heelers and stocked
delegations. Under its operation,
every Administration Congressman
could, and usually did, levy sort of
blackmail on every Office-hOlder in his
district, saying to him, Your support
or your place. Naturally Democrats
out of Office do not like their present
status. Congressman Hill, of Ohio is
reported as saying: !" shall vote to
repeal the Civil Service Act, ] know
of but two United States Senators who
will not vote for its repeal, and every
Democratic Representative west of the
Alleghanies will This is no doubt an
extraVagant statement of the case,
which. however, is its best aspect, is
OminOus of disaster. But the Presi-
dent does not seem to be alarmed by the
fact that he will probably have to make
a contest to retain the support of his
own party for measure of fair-play
and justice. the earnest approval of
which gave him his election. Judging
from appearances, he seems impertur-
able; but he is in possession of the for
tress, and activity will of course first be
exhibited by the assaulting party"
The Indianapolis postmaster has
since the above was penned had a
hearing and not adjudged guilty as
charged.