The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-09-03
CIVIL SERVICE

There is much needed reform to be
brought about by the Democratic
party, if it is true to its pledges, its
principles. and to the country. 1t
| is pledged to a modification and re-
duction of the tariff. 1t is pledged
to reform and correct the abuses In
the Internal Revenue. 1t has prom
ised the people to ferret out and ex-
pose the fraud, corruption, and evil
practices in the custom houses, in
the Internal Revenue department., in
the Pension office department., in the
Land office, in the Post-ofice depart
ment, in the Navy, Army, in fact the
lpeople commanded the Republican
party to step down and out that the
Democratic party might have the
opportunity to clean out and purify
the Augean stables. The people
were convinced that the Republican
party was thoroughly impregnated
with political poison, and permeated
with the dry rot. And we believed
then and still believe the charges
against that party were true, that our
folks meant business when they
promised faithful, honest, economi-
cal administration of the peoples
affairs. And the beginnings made
in some of the departments in that
direction clearly shows that some of
our folks mean to keep faith with the
country so far as they can. Much,
very much has been done in some of
the departments in the line of hon
esty and economy, but there seems
to be something lacking. Such won
derful developments as were promis-
ed have not yet been made; those
stupendous frauds talked OF in the
last campaign, in the Treasury de-
partment, Post office department., and
Interior department have not been
uncovered. Now, why has this work
not progressed more rapidly? Well,
we believe it is because Mr.. Cleve-
land and his seven lieutenants have
retained too many Republicans in
office. 1t is expecting too much of
human nature, to suppose these Re-
publican officials will squeal upon
their confederates IN crime and their
superiors or even to suppose that
they will lead or assist in showing
up the meanness and fraudulent do>
ings of themselves and coconspira-
tors, when that showing would inevi.
tably lead to their Indictment. con =
viction and imprisonment, or at least
ought to be. And for this very rea>
son, if no other, the whole Republi>
can brigade of Office holders ought
to be turned out, and faithful, honest,
capable Democrats put in. In our
Judgment, Mr.. Cleveland and his
lieutenants are committing very
great blunder. They have become
too righteous to preside over the des-
tiny of a Democratic government.
If there is one thing we know beyond
doubt, it is this i; the people returned
the Democratic party to power, be-
cause they were tired of the Repub>
lican, and wanted a thorough radical
change. And we know every Repub>
lican and Democrat between the two
oceans, and the lakes and gulf, ex.
pected a complete change, from head
to foot, from centre to circumference
within six months from the day Mr..
Cleveland was installed in office. It
may be that Mr.. Cleveland is neither
a Democrat nor Republican, and
may not be surprised at his own con-
duct. And If he is neither, he must
be mugwump. For all simon pure
Democrats and Republicans believe
the rascals ought to be turned out.
In fact erybody both North and
South except the mugwumps and a
few time servers, trimmers. POLICEMEN.
and a few angels, just now made per-
feet, which the Lord of Hosts has left
here on earth, to build up political
kingdom preparatory to the political
millennium, expected and desired a
new deal.
We are not of those, who believe
that all the patriotism, political vir>
tue, wisdom and craftsmanship, that
exist in this country, is centered in
Mr.. Cleveland and those who believe
as he believes. We know some say
that he is bigger than his party. If
they mean the mugwump party, that
may be SO, but if they mean the
Democratic party, they are mistaken,
their judgment is twisted and warped
out of shape. Mr.. Cleveland is a
very big man both physically and
mentally, we admit. And with the
exception of his mugmumpism is
making a splendid President. But
we have tried to comprehend and un-
derstand the motive that induces him
fn rot DIN MANI, Doc,,h1;,opc -,