The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-13
sOPPENsIVE PARTISANSHIP,s

"0FPENsIVE PARTISANSHIP.'
The New York Sun, in recommending
Hugh Mclaughlin. of Brooklyn, for collector
of New York, speaks particularly and solely
Of his partisan services to the Democracy. He
was Conspicuous" among the 'tmen true to
Democracy in vits darkest hours" He rem
dered invaluable services to Mr.. Tilden Edur-
ing the most trying periods Of his political
career" the meaning Of which is plain enough,
though not considered as a recommendation
suitable to an honorable man. The Sun
further irdorses Mr. Mclaughlin because Of
his conspicuous services during the last presi-
Dental campaign, declaring that sit is not
too much to say that but for him Mr.. Cleve-
land would not have been nominated or
elected" This is saying good DEAL and if
Mr.. Mclaughlin were Republican it were
saying just enough to eternally condemn him
as San offensive partisan" according to the
rule laid down by the President. It undoubt-
eddy makes all the difference in the world
whether man be active Republican or active
Democratic is exactly the difference be-
tween ofensiveness and excellence. 1t is
preposterous longer to pretend that Democ
racy intends to stand by the civil-service
rules in the spirit in which they
were drawn The places made vacant
by the removal of Republicans accused Of be-
ing offensive partisans are at once filled ny
Democrats whose records reek with offensive
ness, from ward bummerism down to the in
fanny Of unrepented treason. The plea that
the intention is to relieve the public service
from the evils Of offensive partisps has be-
come ridiculous. No man but understands
that the employment of this ambiguous and
rid of excellent public servants against whom
no charge of ineficiency or unftness can hold.
Democrats themselves take no stock in this
pitiful subterfuge. They understand its pur
pose, but are very tired of prolonging the
masquerade Having won the fight they are
hungry for prompt division Of the spoils.
The Sun not only understands that the
phrase offensive partisan" is nonsense, but
does not hesitate to trample upon it in con-
nection with its eulogy of Mr.. Mclaughlin as
valuable and effective Democrat It wants
him appointed, not only for what he has done
in the past, but what he will be able to ac-
complish in the pending contest in the State
of New York The Sun says
"'The establishment of Hugh Mclaughlin
at the head Of the New York custom-house
would be to the Democracy a most fruitful
and most encouraging event. If it should
happen, all doubts as to the result Of the
State election next fall would be dissipated
and removed"
What becomes of civil-service reform and
the crusade against offensive partisans in
event of the appointment of Mclaughlin
Give him the dictatorship, and 1t will be to
Democracy "a most fruitful and most en-
couraging event; ssall doubts as to the result
of the State election next fall would be dissi-
pated and removed" And of such is reform
Democracy, the most importunate scrambler
for place. the most unconscionable plotter for
future success at the expense Of the public
service. The mask of civil-service reform is
hateful to the rank and file, and they have
| already trampled it in the mire. The Sun
here deliberately urges the President to ap-
point man who is able to fix things" and
who, by the help of the position sought
would speedily remove all doubt as to the
way the next election shall go His chief
recommendation, it appears is not that he
will prove an efficient official, but that he will
| be valuable man to have when the campaign
| opens. This is in the nature of quest for
exactly the kind of man that the President
pretends to despise. Democracy continually
changes its pleadings, but its nature is es-
sentially unchanged.