National Republican., 1885-04-04

in n tn ousand shapes aud on all possible
occasions, that the departments in this
city were "reeking with corruption"
Tho most resonant and inspiring shibbo-
leth OF Democratic campaigns has been,
Turn the rascals out" SO incessantly
and forcibly has this corruption been
dwolt upon, so graphically have tho
''rdscals" been painted, so moving has
been the picture Of the government in
the hands Of "thieyes," that tho Demo-
cratic masses were really educated into
tho belief that riotous rascslity was the
rule and manly honesty tho exception in
tho executive departments.
During tho recent Presidential cam.
paign the departments were frequently
spoken of as Augean stables. We be-
lievo it was Senator Payne, OF Ohio, a
gentleman whose lofty standard OF Off
cial integrity has been mentioned in
connection with Standard oil, who gave
utteraneo to eloquent thoughts ON this
Augean stable topic. And, If we recall
the incidents Of the campaign correctly,
the Hon. Thomas A. Hendrcks-guide,
philosopher, and friend Of Joseph L. Me-
Donald-dwelt with souorous ponderosity
on the same exhaustless theme rs he
passed from stump to stump. The Demo-
cratic Hercules whom they had nomi-
mated for the Presidency was billed and
posted to clean out the Augean stables,
and the country was to witness q sublime
moral spectacle-the exodus of "rsscals
and the advent of patriots.
Well, Hercules came in month ago
To-day, but where is the cleansing? Where
are tho 'rascalsW What are the facts to
| show that there was one iota of truth in
the charge of general corruption in tho
service? A few employees who were
deemed superhuous have been discharged.
A few others have beon transferred from
the white house to department. rolls. A
few old horses and vehicles have been
sold, but there has not been uttered a
single hint that 'rascality" had been de-
tected. In tho removal of prominent
officials, such as the heads Of bureaus,
there has been no pretense of any other
object than to get Republicans out and
Democrats in. A writer in the Boston
journal calls attention to interesting
facts in this connection. He says;
The departments which the Democratic
organs asked to have investigated, particularly
the navy, seem to be going on as usual, tn,
Secretary even going so far rs TO refuse to re
scind the'orders of his predecessor. The Post
master General has informed friend that hi
department. was found by him to be in excel
lent shape and he has already informed OFF
GERS connected with the postal railway service
that It was SO efficient that he should not make
any removals.
According to correspondent of the
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, one Of the
new heads of the departments stated In
the presence of several gentlemen that hi
was surprised at the discipline, industry
and competency which he found in hi
department, because he had come to be
lieve from the constant charges made
that the departments were full of politica
creatures and incompetents and that they
needed thorough ovcrhauling The state
ment of tho cabinet member in question
is SO emphatic that We copy it:
He had become convinced that in no privat,
establishment in the land, 10 matter hoy
strictly conducted, was there the perfection o
, system, the thOroughness of discipline, til,
general iaithfulness and efficiency, that ex
, listed in his department. There are men II
the Offices who have spent their lives there
and who are as much part of the system as
spoke Is IL part of the wheel. When want +
know anything in my department the mes
senger who has been there for many years cal
, tell what gentleman to call upon, and he viii
come In and tell me anything want 10 know
down to the minutest points, and so back
generation In personal knowledge, and In
moment can lay his hand upon and produc
anything in the way Of history, documents, q
written matter for my information. Now, SUI
pose put such men us those out for party ret
sons aud III their places with new men MOI
utterly ignorant OF the matters OF the depar
ment than am myself, do you not See that
would be ruinous to the department and to tn
I government, though 1t would satisfy SON
, political workers? | was surprised, too,
D lind what a large proportion Of the men Al
I men Of family; SOBER quiet, reliable citizen
doing their duties steadily faithfully, an
efficiently, rearing families and holding the
places in the world as good citizens husband
aud fathers. A large proportion OF the clerl
0 are of this character and have not been ab
J. TO trace score Of men, so far, placed in Il
: department for purely political reasons
I. This, it should be remembered, is tn
T testimony of Democratic official WI
= would not hesitate to expose, and maa
}, party capital out Of, rascality, corruption
! OF even inefiicienoy, If he found IL. We
y may the Boston journal remark tha
= taking this Democrat as II witnes
o twenty -four years of Republican rule hi
given the country wsll-nigh perfe
civil service in the departments at Wasl
ington."