Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-11-19

AueTc Is notuing III the past record OF k'roS1.
dent Cleveland to justify the theory which
somebody has put forth, that he Ia only wait
ing for The Senate To meet in order to relieve
Mr.. Matthews of his office as Recorder and ap-
point him To diplomatic post. 1t the Presi-
dent had entertained any such purpose, he
could have carried it into effect long before
this. The TACT that he has not done 50, but has
renewed Mr.. Matthews appointment, Is evil
denee enough of his intention to try again the
temper of the senate. The Presidents philoso-
ply Of politics, as OF every thing else, is that
there Is no rule so iron-bOund as not to admit of
exceptions dictated by what appears to be the
necessity Of the hour. As u general thing he
has followed the policy laid down by the con-
vention which nominated him, and made
federal appointments In territories from among
the Inhabitants thereof In certain cases he
has isit compelled to swerve from this practice,
an where territory was internally rent by
hetional controversies and offics-hoIder
could not b. chosen directly from Its popula.
tion without identifying The government with
one or the other of the local clques- In the
District, although there were severai candidates
for the Recordersbip, there was NO heated eon.
test between them but Frederick Douglass a
leader of the eolored republicans, had filled the
ofiice for some years, his appointment to it had
been generally regarded by the colored people
as recognition Of their race in the service of
del : did not conceive that there would be any
improperly that there would be any.
thing but especial ntness-in the appointment
Of another eolOred man, to prove TO the eoun.
try that the democratic party was Just as much
disposed as the republican party to grant to
the colored people all the privileges appertain-
ing 20 citizenship. He did not know the col
ored democrats of the District; he did know
the colored democrats Of his own state and
hence went thither for his choice. Herein will
doubtless be found substantially the motive
for the Presidents course. He does not now
understand why the feeling of the people of
the District should be so strong and he has abb
soiateiy no patience with the attitude OF the re-
publican Senators who voted against Mr.. Mat
thews confirmation II these Senators had a.
assigned different reason for opposing him.
the District piaint might have received another
hearing, but until some better rea son Is stated
for the rejecting OF his candidate by q republic
can Senate than the assertion that q colored
man has no right TO be democrat, MIR. Cieve-
land Is not likely to give over his notion that
ne Ii making fght Tor principle, In which lse
can hold out as long az his adversaries can.
Mayor Grace, of New York, has done q Judi.
eious thing in appointing two ladies ON the
Board of Education Of that city. This is a step
that Is worthy the consideration Of our District
Commissioners. IL can hardly be doubted that
ntted Tor the duty OF managing the school inter.
ests Of the city Than sUme Of the men now
charged with that trust
1t ought not 10 take long tor the Commits
sioners 70 decide how they shall deal with the
police scandal. They should not hesitate n
moment whether 70 use an axe or u whitewash
brush.
The preparations of the other powers In
Europe In view Of the possibility Of u resort to
arms by Russia are noteworthy. IL Is aues-
Ion, however, whether the premature publica-
ion OF their program IL not made with the
Instinct purpose VI meeting the cars bluff
with . bigger one.
The Princeton athletes always get away with
the Harvard boys In physical contests, and Dr.
AeCosh shows that he can swing a stunning
club when IL COMES TO q competition with Har.
ward in brain power.
Major Walker drops into poetry upon the
value OF silence In the police corps. While he
Is looking for quotations applicable to his case.
We commend TO him passage In Macbeth:
stand not upon the order of your going. but
20 at once" "