The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-17

democratic county committee, one of the pro-
sprietors of the Ledger, a Democratic paper, and
81 southern sympathizer during the war
Z Crawford, successor of Kirk of Sioux City, Ia,
Ehad been sentenced to the penitentiary at Yank
zion, D. Il.
/ The successor of A. s. Orr, of Wikesbarre,
kPa., was chairman of the Democratic State COM
smittee, editor of the Democratic newspaper and
Friend of Randall, by whom the appointment
twas made.
A w. Amick, of Lexington. Ind, writes. on
Aug. 3, that ever since his successor was APP
spointed. he (Amick) has had to make out the re-
kports to the department.
) In fact, nearly every change here in Indiana,
sthat has come under my observation seems a
step in the wrong direction l can furnish you
"details ad nausean, if you have space for them.
You are no doubt familiar with the case of
james Bowling, appointed by the influence OF
cMr Bynum Democratic congressman from In
sdianapolis to position in the railway mail serv-
dee some months ago. Bowling boosted that he
Ihad bribed certain members of the Common
Council of Tndianapcciiia. For this he was tried
sby Council and found guilty by go
STote. of bribery; majority voted to expel him,
but the requisite two-thirds was lacking for that
purpose. Before the grand jury bowling re-
fused to testify, because his answer might GRIM
1nate him. These facts are notorious to every
IMAM in the State. The Postmaster general was
notified of them by Lucius B. Swift, on Sep. IL
gbut wrote to Mr.. Swift. that it would be fair for
sMr Bowling ito have notice of the accusation
Because inquiry might put different complex
6on On the case"
! The Importance of investigation and Of the
sold maxim audi alterem partem is thus recog
+niZed by the very man who refused to grant 1t
in the cases above. Mr.. Bowling is still in the
service though notice was long since given him
sof the charges, and they have been proved by
numerous affidavits and words. How can this
delay of more than three months be accounted
for!
Last winter bill for cv-service reform was
,introduced in our State Senate, based upon the
New York statute. Upon its final passage it
was defeated by the Democratic majority, every
Republican votingfor it and nearly every Demo
crat against 1T.
Such facts are not calculated to convince Re-
publicans who did not vote for Mr.. Blaine that
any permanent redemption OF the civil service
from the spoils system is likely to come out of
such Nazareth as the Democratic party, when
composed of its present material l wrote the
FOREGOING facts Except some of the above In
stances of the incapacity of successors), to tho
New York Nation, on Nov. 80, 1885, by way of
criticism of the frequent concentrations in that
paper, of the Presidents administration, re
specting removals and appointments to office.
with the remark, that in the East, where civil
service reform sentiment was comparatively
strong, this appreciation might be merited, but
THAT to us in Indiana, whore a mugwnmp is
rare bird it looked if the reform policy of the
president, outlined in his letter to George W.
Curtis was limited in practice to those
parts of the country where. sit
would do the most good" and asking
Ehow it was, in view Of such facts as these. that
sthe Nation considered it distinct gain to the
cause of civil service reform. that the majority
Sof the commission were members Of the Demo
cratic party. / addressed this letter to the Ma
yAion, because ] believed that paper, being de-
yoted to the cause of civil-service reform, would
mot be unwilling that the shortcomings of the
present administration. in carrying it out,
should be made known None of the matters con-
ltained in the letter have appeared in any form,
nor have 1 heard from it in any shape since it
twas sent 1t seems to me that such facts as the
above ought not to be kept from the public, es-
pecially in the place where as in New York.
civil service reform sentiment is strong and the
administration is believed to be earnestly carry
ing out the ideas of the reformers
RICHMOND Ind. Dec IA. W. D. FoULKE.