The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-10-24
CARPlNG CRITICISM.
Grumblers Inclined to Take a Distorted
View of the Acts of the Administration
Not Entitled to Consideration.

Not Entitled to Consideration.
The fierce light of publicity which
beats upon this Administration and in
vites criticism and discussion of every
movement and appointment to Office is
thoroughly appreciated by the Presi-
dent and his Cabinet They know that
they are the objects Of unceasing
scrutiny and discussion, aud that their
words, motives and actions are weighed |
and examined with closeness of at
tention such as never has been applied |
before TO an Administration. Over six |
months have passed since they were
called upon to take charge of the Gov
ernment, and during that time they
have accomplished vast deal of work,
and fair opportunity has been afforded
of Judging them. The verdict of the
country has been eminently favorable,
and Mr.. Cleveland and his official fam
ily have wrung praise from even their
political opponents. The President has
declared more than once that he is
pleased rather than annoyed, at the
close watch kept on his Administration,
for, honest and high-minded in his
purpose to give the people the good
Government they expected from him,
he does not fear honest criticism. But
there is class of grumblers in both
parties who are inclined to take a dis
sorted view of everything done by this
| Administration.
Some labor under the deluson that
offices under the Government belong to
Republicans by species of divine
right, when the Administration is
Democratic, and that Civil-Seryice re-
form should be construed so as to bar
all Democrats from office. They raise
a howl when Democrat is appointed
to a position, and endeavor to give the
impression that, being Democrat, he
is unfit to hold office under the Gov
eminent If his Republican predeces-
sor should happen to have held the
position for many years, these carping
critics think that he is entitled to it for
the balance of his life, whether he be
competent, faithful and in accord with
the Government or not. The Admins
tration has given abundant evidence
Of its desire to deal justly and honor
ably with servants in office, and has, at
times, incurred the adverse criticism OF
members of its own party, in carrying
put its admirable policy in reference to
the public service. But no reasonable
Or fair-minded person can expect it to
submit to be saddled with worthless or
hostile agents in the work of reform
The carping critics we have alluded to
are too much in the habit of jumping
at conclusions when removal or APP
pointment is made without taking the
trouble to inquire into the merits of the
case.
The President is not one to act pre-
cipitately or contrary to the principles
he so fearlessly advocates, and while
lighting the bad element in both par
ties" he is honestly endeavoring to Sc
cure the best and most efficient men
for public office. When a removal is
made. in some instances, a storm is
raised by these critics because the per
son removed has filled the position fol
twelve or fifteen years and has been
generally regarded rs an efficient Off
cial. They never stop to inquire what
derelction of duty and, perhaps, NAL
feasance in office may have taken place
and have been concealed until the i'm
partial test of reform has been applied
In many cases the very length of Off
cial life has caused Government Off
GER to become more lax in his dutic!
; and more inclined to make perniciou
use of his opportunities and position
! Having enjoyed immunity so Ions
under Republican rule, he appears t.
think that a Democratic Administra
, ton should be equally lenient. Reform
he considers necessary, perhaps, TO
newcomers in office, but not for an oil
stager, like himself, who has been 81
long in the Government service tina
he has some sort of lien on it
. There is no one more willing to listel
to honest, sincere criticism than Presi
dent Cleveland. He can afford to loo
down upon those who are forever bark
inc at his heels because their own in
significant influence is not regarded
and on those who are ever prepared t
! condemn before they have an oppol
! tunity of Judging of a question. TIL
: recent history of affairs in the NeN
York Custom House abounds in case
= of carping criticism. The Administrs
! ton has no small amount of labor
7 purge that institution OF the evils whic
wears of misrule and corruption gail
T., cred there, and removals and appoin
j ments have been made with the on
: object in view, the publication OF tn
l public service. The Republican officia
> in the New Y ork Custom House have ha
9 long lease of power, and how the
: used it the oppressed and swindle
/ merchants of the metropolis can tel
0 Every change there is a decided in
IS provement, as it would be in any dc
Q Of thieves. Albany ArguS.
u A POLITICAL LIE.
l. Senator Miller's Statement That the X
= oil