Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-02-27
Questions for Mr.. Cleveland to De
CiNC.

With the coming in of the new admins
tration on March 18th, the people will look
to its head for some positive expression of
opinion ON some of the most important
problems now before the nation. The
Presidents inaugural will of course be
expected to contain definite outlines of the
policy to he pursued by his administration
in respect to such significant diplomatic
questions as the disposition of the Span
ish, Nicaragua and Clayton-Bulwer trea-
ties as well aS in reference to civil ser
vice reform, and the national finances,
especially the coinage of silver.
Such questions as these can not be
ignored in the official uttcranceS of the
President elect and they certainly ought
not To he evaded. We trust that they will
receive such honest and serious considers
ton from him, as their eminent impOr-
lance demands.
The Country's diplomatic relations in
particular should not be passed over
with light hand. Treaties are pending,
upon the disposition of which will largely
depend the future commercial relations of
the United States with foreign nations.
Our relations with the South American
States and Colonies especially must be
determined by the policy Of the incoming
administration. The President will be ex-
pected to formulate the views of the new
administration upon the question whether
or no the Clayton Bulwer treaty is now
! binding on the United States; upon the
decision OF which question depends our
right to build our inter-oceanic canal in
Central America.
Civil service reform is another issue upon
which we shall expect positive language
from Mr. Cleveland. He has made
himself particularly conspicuous by
his professions in favor of reform in
civil service, and the opportunity has now
come to prove the sincerity Of these
professions We recognize the extreme
difficulty of Mr.. Clevelunds position
standing, as he does, the representa-
tive of party very hungry and very
thirsty" for spoils but if he wishes to win
the confidence of the people he must prac
tice his own preaching on the subject OF
civil service reform.
Mr.. Cleveland will not be likely t.
dodge the financial question; for the Dem
ocrats have always been anxious to lay
their hands ON the reins for the purpose
of 'retOrming' the national finances
Should the compulsory coinage of silver
dollars be unchecked by the action of the
present Congress we may expect some
strong words from Mr. Cleveland upon tn,
subject, in his inaugural address. There
are other matters which we should like t
have brought out into clearer light by tho
President-elect; and chiefly we SHOULD
like to hear an expression of opinion from
him with respect to II free ballot in tn,
South, though, perhaps, this would be
under the circumstances too much to On
pect MIR, Cleveland's address will b,
awaited with more than usual interest b,
the people
Cable advces say that the most respon
sible messenger who has reached Genera
Wolseley from khartOum, says that tn,
Arab, Farag, whom Gordon made mill
tary commandant of the city, turncC
traitor, and admitted the Mahdi's troops
FL Mahdildid notenter khartoum until tn,
third day after. lie inspected the city an,
then returned to Omdurman After Gen
eral Gordon fell the Arabs killed his clerl
and nine others with spears, The other
who were at the time with Gordon escap
ed, During the attack, all the Europeans
and most of the notables were killed, tn,
male inhabitants of the city joined the in
; surgents, no women or children were kill
ed, and citizens who submitted to the in
yaders and surrendered their valuable,
Il ] 70, nrf l. L