Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-08-06
Why Not be Frank About It.

The Republicans are being put out
of office with all convenient speed, and
this is desirable and we'll They ought
to 90, but there are some circumstances
about the manner in which some of
them are made to 90 which we must
frankly disapprove, and which. in cur
judgement, are unjustifable and un-
democratic We refer to this matter of
offensive partisanship.
Various Republicans are removed on
the ground of their offensive partisan
ship Among these are improperly
counted those who have neglected their
official duties to engage in political
work These men are removed on &C
count Of ineficiency, and their acts Of
extreme partiSanship are not the actual
cause Of their dismissal. But there is
a large number of Republican official
against whom charges Of incompetency
or dishonesty could not be maintained,
and who are to be, or have been, re-
moved for their excessive political ac-
tivity. Thus, to follow the indications
given in the Postmaster Generals
letter. Republican offce-holders who
are the editors or proprietors Of Re-
publican journals, or who have made
stump speeches or organized political
meetings, or been members Of political
committees or officers Of campaign
clubs are offensive partisans, to be re-
moved on proof of their partisanship.
But in place Of these officials, editors
and proprietors Of Democratic journals
Democrats who made stump speeches
for Cleveland and organized meetings
in his behalf, and were officers of
Cleveland and Hendricks campaign
clubs are appointed. They are just
the kind Of Democrats who ought to
be appreciated; but the Republicans
are quick to perceive and make use of
tie inconsistency with which the adj
ministration may not unfairly be
charged. The worst Of this offensive
partisanship business is that it necessi-
tates an odious investigation and espion-
age into the political course of such
Republican office holders as have not
been patiently offensive in their parti-
sanship. This is wrong, unjustifable.
unnecessary. Offensive or inofensive,
the Republicans ought to go. The
Democracy expects and demands the
offices Would it not be wiser, as it
would be franker, to remove Republi-
cans without any inquisitiOn into the
extent of their partisan ofense? 1t is
to be expected that Democratic officials
will consent, or that Democrats gem
orally desire that they should consent,
to keep their partisanship within the
metes and bounds Of inoffensive parti-
sanship? Is not the administration,
from some vague regard for civil ser
vice reform notions accepted by the
majority of neither Republicans nor
Democrats laying the foundation of
future embarrassments?
Democrats want the Offices, but they
do not blame any Republican office
holder for partisan activity provided
his conduct as an official has been
satisfactory They want his office;
they think it is right Democrat
should fill it, but they also want
the Offices of Republican ofice-holders,
if any such there be, who have never
manifested any partisan activity what
ever
Out of Difference to the mugvumps
a good deal Of humbug has been put
into this matter; yet it is always best
to speak the truth.-Ne10 York. Sam