The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-03
A MUGWUMP's MISPLACED CRITICISM.

A MUGWUMP's MISPLACED CRITICISM.
TIE New York Post criticises Vice president
Hendricks because he has interested himself
chiefly with the offices instead Of occupying
himself in a more dignifed manner with
schemes for gaining for the Democratic party,
either through legislation or administration,
a stronger hold upon the affections of the peo-
pie. 'It might fairly have been expected"
says this Independent Democratic organ,
chat he would be of a serious mind and &C.
cupied more or less with the serious questions
which occupy statesmen of similar standing
in other countries-Gladstone, Bismarck or
Ferry, for instance-such as trade, justice,
taxes, banking, currency and so forth" 1t
might be thought from this expression of
opinion and from the worshipful attitude of
the Post towards its tin god Cleveland, what
ever course he chooses to pursue, that the
organ Of lofty reform had become somewhat
confused as to the respective functions of the
two highest officials of the government. Opin-
ions differ widely as to the duties of the Vice
president, but Of whatever they may actually
consist, there is no reason for sur
prise on the part Of any intelli-
gent person that Mr.. Hendricks should
devote himself to a consideration
of the spoils and to Strengthening his party
according to the time honored Jacksonian
methods by distributing them where they
would do the most good. In fact, as Mr.. Hen
bricks announced his intentions previous to
election, surprise should only have been felt
had his course been different. But, putting
aside Mr.. Hendricks and his actions, it may
be asked what Mr.. Cleveland has done in his
FIVE months occupancy of the presidential
chair, save to consider the offices. The Post
will, of course, maintain that he has consid-
cred them with an eye solely and singly to
reform, but has the President Of the United
States no higherduty than todeal out the offices,
even according to the latest improved c~ivil-ser-
vice principles2 Civil-service reform is an
excellent thing in it's way, but there are mat
te!s which even more closely concern the
welfare of the country and the government.
Mr.. Cleveland agreed to maintain the reform,
but is it absolutely necessary that he should
give his entire time and attention to the car
rylng out of a single law already in peaceful
ope ration? Other Presidents, equally as
great as Mr.. Cleveland, have felt the
almost irresistible pressure of the ofice-seeh-
ing class, but they have not succumbed to it
to the extent Of neglecting other questions of
statecraft which might arise. Mr.. Cleveland
has secured the admiration of a certain class
idea is civil service, for what they are pleased
to term his devotion to the work of his office.
What work is it? Does he sit at his desk, as
they enthusiastically aver, from early morn
ing till late at night, considering trade, bank
ing, currency or tax problemsY Not at all;
his time is devoted to studying applications
for office, to correspondence, and other purely
clerical work. In the five months of his Of
fetal career he has, so far as the public is
aware, given no attention to those serious
questions which, to quote the Post again,
occupy the attention of such statesmen as
Gladstone, Bismarck and Ferry. He has done
little or nothing but that which a twelve
hundred-dollar clerk might do equally as well.
Other Presidents employed a sufficient number
of clerks and secretaries to do this rou-
tine work, and occupied themselves
idea of reform is to do desk work himself.
Evidently his conception of the office of Pres
ident is that it is a sort of head clerkship, and
the incumbent who turns off the greatest
quantity of correspondence or handles the
most documents is best qualified for the place.
1t may occur to others, if not to himself, that
$50, GOO is a large salary to pay for work that
a cheap secretary might do; but if he chooses
to value his clerical services so highly, it is
too late to protest. Possibly it is better for
the country that the President does not turn
his attention to high questions of statesman
ship; but however this may be, it is time that
the mugwump song of praise for the Presi-
dents greatness should cease. He may en-
force the civil service reform, or he may not,
but in no case is he a great man.
EVEN the Democrats are finding that it will
not do to "turn the rascals OUT too rapidly.
In his anxiety to reform something and to