The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-15
UNJUST ARGUMENTS.
Urdmblers Inclined to Take a Distorted
View of the Acts of the Administration
Not Entitled to Consideration.

/ Uramblers Inclined to Take Distorted
View of the Acts of the Administration
Not Entitled to Consideration.
The fierce light of publicity which
beats upon this A 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. and that their
words, motives and actions are weighed
and examined with q closenesS of at
tention such as never has been applied
before to an Administration. Over six
months have passed since they were
I called upon to take charge OF the Gov
eminent, 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
| lily 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
torted view of everything done by this
Administration.
Some labor under the delusion that
offices under the Government belong to
Republicans by a species of divine
right, when the Administration is
Democratic, and that Civil-Service re-
form should be construed so as to bar
all Democrats from Office. They raise
n howl when a Democrat is appointed
to a position, and endeavor to give the
impression that, being a 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 IFS own part, in carrying
out 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 a removal or ap-
poinment 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 for
twelve or fifteen years and has been
generally regarded as an efficient Off
cial. They never stop to inquire what
dereliction 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 eases the very length of otli-
cial life has caused a Government Off
Ger to become more lax in his duties
and more inclined to make pernicious
use of his opportunities and position.
Having en- Dyed immunity so long
under Republican rule, he appears to
think that a Democratic Administra-
ton should be equally lenient. Reform
he considers necessary, perhaps, for
newcomers in office, but not for en- old
stager. like himself, who has been so
long in the Government service that
he has some sort of lien on it.
There is no one more willing TO listen
to honest, sincere criticism than Presi-
dent Cleveland. He can afford to look
down upon those who are forever bark
ing at his heels because their own in
significant influence is not regarded,
and on those who are ever prepared to
condemn before they have an oppOr-
tunitv of Judging of question. The
recent history of affairs in the New
York Custom House abounds in eases
of carping criticism. The Admnistra-
ton has no small amount of labor to
purge that institution OF the evils which
years of misrue and corruption gath
cred there. and removals and appoint
ments have been made witt the one
object in view. the publication of the
public service The Republican officials
in the New York Custom House have had
a long lease of power. and how they
used it the oppressed and swindled
merchants of the metropolis can tell.
Every change there is decided i'm
provement, as it would be in any den