The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-20
EX-SENATOR MCDONALD.
He Thinks the "Ofensive Partisanshipn
Phrase an Unfortunate One.

Chicago Times.
Ex-senator Joseph E. Mcdonald, of Indiana
was a guest at the Palmer House yesterday He
has been spending the summer with his wife al
Deer Park. and is looking unusually we'll He
came to Chicago to attend to some legal BUSH
ness. In conversation with a reporter for ths
Times yesterday Mr.. Mcdonald expressed
himself freely, and gave some original ideas on
the public questions of the day. After speaking
in general way of the good feeling that seemed
to prevail among the people toward Clevelan6s
administration. he touched on the Presidents
civilservice policy Cleveland can do no
other way than to observe the civil service
law said he. "lf he would do otherwise he
would disregard the law, and am sure good
Democrat wants him to do that Now, | will
frankly say that would not have voted for
civil service but 1t is law, and it is here to
stay. 1t is evident that some such law is needed.
although there is still plenty of room for amend
ments. The principal objection to it, to my
mind, is that 1t will have tendency to create an
'of1clal class. Of course, any party, if it re-
mains in power long enough, will have all its
own men In. and that is all right enough, too as
there are men In both parties fully capable OF
filling all the positions. believe that all clerical
entirely divorced from politics. The clerical
help should be appointed on the same principle
that men are employed in large banking and
mercantile establishments. If their positions
are contingent on political preference they will
be thinking more about retaining their positions
than performing the duties of their Offices. They
then become offensive partisans'"
What do you think of that term. offensive
partisan9'"
II think it was very unfortunate that the
President adopted it. 1t is apt to come back ON
him. and cause him much annoyance"
"Will the Senate take it up. and refuse to
confirm some of his appointments2'
well, it will place the Senate in a position
where it can itself attempt to define what the
term offensive partisan means The President
may have his definition and then the Republican
senators may have theirs"
There has been considerable discussion in
regard to who would take the office-the Presi-
dents appointee or the old appolntee-in case
the Senate refuses to confirm the new man.
What is your opinion on that subject9"
IF the Senate refuses to confirm presidential
appointee. the old oficeho!der takes his place,
but the President may Immediately thereafter
suspend him and appoint the same man that
he did before or a new one. OF course.
the Senate can refuse to confirm again, and the
President can again suspend, and thus sort of
a see saw can be kept up, but in the end the
President would have the best of it. We had
such case when was in the Senate during
Hayes administration. Hayes, as you know,
removed Arthur as collector of the port of New
York. The Senate refused to confirm the ap-
polntment of his successor, but the President
came out ahead, and Merritt received the posi-
ton"
Referring to the postoffice muddle at Indian
apolis Mr. Mcdonald said there had been much
ado about nothing. He did not think Mr.. Jones
in any way to blame. If he showed a preference
for appointing Democrats to Republicans. that
was but natural, and now he was making his ap-
pointments too slowly to suit the Democratic
The federal appointments We're progressing slow
ly bat surely, and all good Democrats seemed to
be satisfied
Mr.. Mcdonald will return to day to Deer
Park.