The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-09-02
THE ADMINISTRATIONS.

1t was not to be expected that the Ad-
ministration would escape the malice OF
the opposition press. That its mistakes
would be magnifed into crimes was to be
expected. That it's appointments would
be condemned without sense or reason was
equally certain. That whenever a rascal
should be turned out OF office the whole
press would howl and plead the tenur OF
office law was SO confidently expected that
it excited no wonder. Yet, it is a pleasure
to notet that SO independent a newspaper
as the Boston Herald, despite it's strong
Republican leanings, has only commenda-
ton COR the course Mr.. Cleveland has pur-
sued. His policy has exhibited u wise
craftsmanship and all his efforts have been
in the interest OF the public good, rather
than the advancement Of party interests.
In a truthful and w%ell-considered editor
ial regarding the reforms begun by the
Administration, the New York Times, not
specially partial to the President, and
absolutely independent in matters politl-
cal, tersely says that the result thus lar
has fully justified the popular Judgment.
4LCIC lIt1O DCOu on ~
offices and appointments hat the work OF
reforming abuses has attracted much less
attention than it would otherwise have
done. But the work has been begun. ana
il we take the trouble to look over the
record we will find that very substantial
progress has been made. The Secretary OF
the Navy has taken up his share with
--~u: -~- IL hoe not allowed any
question of appointments to hinder or
delay him. He has treated that us a mere
incident of his work and has dealt with 1t
on the same b~usiness-like principles that
have characterized the rest Of his Efforts.
He has taken up the contracts Tor
the construction of vessels for the
purpose of enforcing their requirements
with a strict regard for the interests OF the
Government. He has taken the navy
yards out OF politics, and is still engaged
in ferreting out the corruptions and irregn-
Ia rites SO long concealed in their
recesses. He has show up the gigan-
tic frauds perpetrated in the repairs "t
vessels, and bids fair to put an end to the
that has infected alike the YES
sells OF the navy and the administration OF
the department. The way the administra-
ton has taken hold of the Indian troubles
and the abuses OF the land office is another
OF it's purposes and its probable
achievements. The ultimate causes OF the
with the Indians has been inquired
into and a determination has been shown
to remove them. Dishonest agents are dis
placed and intruders upon the Indian lands
are firmly taken in hand and sent out OF
the reservations. Those who have fenced
in vast areas Of public land to Craze herds
cattle upon without a shadow OF legal
right are notified to remove their fences and
find pastures without stealing them. A
beginning has been made toward rectifying
the enormous abuse of their rights by land
railroads, which nave kept settlers
from large sections OF the public domain to
which the corporations have acquired no
legitimate title. This work Of retaining the
public lands from interlopers and thieves
has barely begun, but the spirit exhibited by
this beginning gives promise OF great results
before it is finished. The Treasury Depart
ment has uncovered the rottenness nf the
Coast Survey bureau and begun the pro-
cess of cure. 1t has been engaged for some
time in examining into the irregularities OF
the customs service, and promises to bring
order out Of chaos in the business oil up
praising merchandise. The Secretary OF
War has found an opportunity for the cor
rcction of old abuses in sending back to
their regiments officers who have been per-
mitted year after year to occupy attractive
positions at Washington on account OF the
social and political influences exerted in
their behalf and giving Others u chance for
an agreeable change. The President has
been working in the same line in his refusal
to recognize similar influences in favor OF
appointing civilians to army offices. Thus
we see that the long-dcsired reform has been
taken up in Il manner that gives promise OF
the correction OF old abuses and the purilica-
ton of the administration OF public affairs.
Enough has been accomplished in five
months to give earnest OF what may be
expected before President Cleveland's first
term has ended.