Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-27


Mr. CLEvELAND's CRITICS.
On several occasions the REsEsrss has
explained Why it vzs that President CIEFs,
LAND could not satisfy the demands made
upon him for 9 change in the subordinate
Offices within his gift IS rapidly as many Of
the workers in the Democratic party desire.
The irritation among those seeking Office,
because Of the apparent snaifs gals OF the
administration in removals is somewhat
abated within the past month. This feeling
is the result Of q more philosophical and
reasonable view Of the situation. Yet there
is plenty ofgrosling extsnt to do Justice to
q wen filed bear pit, and in order that it
may be further suppressed through the
power of good sense, reason and
patience, the Pieayune's editorial on the
subject is reproduced by request. Il Is
quite . comprehensive paper, covers the
ground well, and begins thus: Those
D. democrats who are becoming impatient be-
cause Mr.. CL~EvELAxD's conservative and
cautious course in regard to Federal sp-
pointments, do not sufficiently appreciate
the peculiar difficulties and special demands
of his position just at this juncture. There
are three or four considerations of great i'm
portance to which the FESTIVE critics Of the
administration appear to be entirely indiFer-
ent; but which, nevertheless, must exercise,
and ought to exercise, q paramount inAu-
enee over It's policy.
In the first place Mr.. Cleveland is the
President Of the United States and not of
the Democratic party. IL was indeed the
boast of the party that Its success would re-
store q national tone to the Federal admin.
istrstion, and would sink all narrow, sec
tionsl and partisan prejudice out OF sight
for the sake Of the welfare OF the whole
country. This plea In behalf of the Demo
cratic candidate was in effect q pledge and
cannot honorably be ~disregsrded. As the
President of the United States, then, Mr..
Cleveland is not at liberty TO assume the at
titude of 9 mere party leader bent upon re-
wardiDg his friends and Furnishing his enc
mics.
But, in the second place Mr.. Cleveland is
personally and distinctly pledged to the ex.
ecution Of the civil service law, and to the
maintenance OF the fundamental principles
of civil service reform. His prominence as
a public man before his nomination at
Chicago was due to his earnest and cour-
sgeous devotion to those principles in the
face OF party opposition. II was e~loquently
IL =. 1910, Sba.as . W. Iowa n m
best for the enemies be has made" He
cannot be expected now, therefore, TO re-
nounce the policy which has been the
source both OF his fame and Of his useful
ness, and to the continuance of which ne
has plighted his faith.
Thirdly, il must be remembered that how
ever warm Mr.. Cleyeland's Democratic SYM
pathies may be, he has TO reckon with q Re-
Lubican Senate, and that that Senate will
not be SOW 10 reject nominations that are
in violation of the spirit of the civil service
law. IL is true that the Senate is not now
in session, but any advantage gained during
its recess would inspire an increased oppo-
sition ct its next meeting. The President
may remove for cause, and he is the judge
OF "~tause," but vacancies must be filled by
and with the consent OF the Senate" and it
is easy to see how that body might ayenge
removals arbitrarily made. The President
would have nothing to fear from a conflict
with the Senate if be carried the con
science OF the country with him-if he
had reason and justice upon his side.
But the majority OF the good people Of
the United States are not specially con-
cerned about the individual wants Of small
cGfceseekers. They are vastly more inter
ested in good government, and they believe
that good government cannot be secured
BY the application of the rule TO the victors
belong the spoils"
Finally, it is of the greatest Importance
that the country should be made to see that
the Democratic party is held together by Its
principles and not By greed for Office. For
t~unately it is within the power Of the party
to demonstrate that tact to the satisfaction
Of the entire nation. The enforcement Of
the civil service Law by this administration
may temporarily benefit a few Republican
offce-holders, but it will not benefit the
Republican party as a whole. On the con-
trsry, it will present such q vivid contrast
to the uniform policy of that party that the
country will never again submit itself to
D--.LL..- IL