Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-30
The Opinions Of Two Distinguished
Democrats.

Democrats.
There may be here and there Demo
crat who is not entirely satisfied with the
administration, but it is noticeable that
the Democratic leaders, almost without
exception, have only words Of ENCOURAGE
ment and praise for it, Within the last
day or two Hon. John G.. Carlisle and
Hon. Joseph Z. Mcdonald, who have,
perhaps, the confidence Of their party as
fully as any Of the prominent Democratic
leaders, have expressed for publication
their views respecting the administration,
and particularly of the President.
Mr.. Carlisle said: 81 am satisfied that
Mr. Cleveland and the heads Of the vari-
Gus departments are doing the very best
they can under the circumstances, and
that they are entitled to the confidence
and support of their political friends
throughout the country. The President
is a sensible, honest and patriotic man,
whose highest ambition IS to discharge
his official duties in strict accordance
with the constitution and the laws, and
for the promotion Of the public
welfare" Mr.. Mcdonald, in the
. .
Il have always held President Cleveland
in the highest esteem as a man Of brains,
conscience and nerve, who viii
do his duty. His admins
tration has been 80 far sound, safe
and conservative, and will continue so. l
think he is giving the country to under
stand two things-frst, that he will make
no appointments of persons unit for Of
fee, however strongly they may be rec
commended; and second, that he will not
permit persons TO stand around with gov.
eminent commissions in their pockets
without any work to do. He will not
tolerate official idleness."
1t is evident that in the above extracts
Dir. Carlisle and Mr.. Mcdonald have
spoken their real opinions Of the admins
tration, and it is pretty clear that their
opinions are about correct. 1t has not
yet been said that any member of the
Cabinet exerts a controlling influence in
the affairs of the government on the
contrary, it is very generally admitted
that the President shapes and directs the
course OF the administration.
| The President has marked out the
course which he proposes to pursue, and
| it is about as clear now, as it was a
month after his Inauguration, that he
doesn't intend to be driven from that
course by hostile criticism or the assaults
OF disappointed politicians. His expert
ence in practical politics may not have
been great, but it has been sufficient to
show HIM that if he follows the counsels
of those who profess to be his
friends in matters in which they
have personal interest he
will not only, in many instances, be de-
ceived, but will involve his admin
istration in unpleasant cOmplica-
tions and, perhaps, scandals. Gen.
Grant, when President, relied upon
his protested friends and flatterers, and
what was the result? He was deceived
by those whose duty it was to shield him.
and he was made responsible for scandals
which resulted from placing implicit con.
fidenee in party friends.
The politicians propose to get their
friends and supporters into office, if they
can, whether they are fit for official posi-
tions or not. Already the President has
| hou ACaSOh w AOSlCb ICY INK upOu the du-
vice Of those he trusted, and in more than
one instance has commission been re-
voked.
II the people want Republicans re-
moved from office more rapidly let them
recommend men they know to be honest
and cOmpetent-sueh men as they would
be willing to place in positions of
trust. If they will do this they
will relieve the President of a vast
amount of work, and changes in
the offices will be made much more
rapidly than at present. AS long, how
ever, as they lack the moral courage to
refuse to sign petitions and write recon-
mendatiOns for those who are thoroughly
unfit for offices, they may expect 20 see
the work Of making changes in the offices
progress slowly. The President evidently
means to put only fl men in the offices,
and the politicians and the people might as
well understand that now as later on.