Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-02-10
LOCAL APPOINTMENTS.

The DEMOCRAT few days since referred
to appointments for Utah by Mr.. Cleve-
land We think the circumstances justify
a further discussion of the subject News
paper men not infrequently warp out OF
shape the talk of men in exalted posi-
tions, when caught off their guard, to
serve the purposes OF their party. There
is little reason to believe, however, that
the quartet of reporters combined TO in
vent statements or misrepresent the say
ings of Surveyor General Dement,; in
deed, it was plain from the first that his
assertions would lead to further discus
sion, and probable investigation. Such
has not only been the result, but he has
received such shaking up from the press
as to give him, for the time being at
least, national notoriety. Such being the
case, and since Utah is more interested
in the matter than any other sec
ton, the DEMOCRAT thinks there
could be no more fitting time to
discuss, not only Mr.. Dement, and his
the personnel of the appointments made
for Utah since our party came into power
The Presidential patronage has grown
to such an extent that it is not possible
for that officer to know all, indeed a
1.-THE, Of the men he must name for po-
sitions. For this, ii for no other reason,
the Democratic doctrine OF having the
locality where the service is to be rem.
dered furnish, endorse and become re.
sponsible for the officer has been settled
upon us best; hence the platform adopted
at Chicago in July, 1884, to which Mr.
Cleveland subscribed, and to which his
administration is pledged, has the follow.
ing:
The selection of Federal officers for tn,
Territories should be restricted to citizen.
previously resident therein.
This plank is brief and plain, and il
accordance with the teachings Of the
party and commended by experience
To considerable extent in the othel
Territories the pledge has been kept, bu
not in Utah. Does the peculiar condition
OF affairs here justify the sweeping ex
ception practised incur case? We think
not. Local Democrats were willing I,
admit that the peculiar condition OF tn,
Territory might warrant the Presi
dent in exercising greater latitud,
in selecting, especially as to certain
officers, and it is admitted tina
local candidates were urged with les
persstency than from any other section
This OF itself should have gained for US .
greater consideration, and if the selection
were to be made from the sixty million
outside. we were justified in expectin,
they would be well and wisely made.
This Territory is the most prominent
populous and troublesome under the car
Of the general Government, and is de
serving Of special attention. When Eng
land has troublesome colony she send
able men, selected with judgment an,
with view to their peculiar fines
for the place. The Administration
at its outset gave out that il
filling Offices or in making change
1t did not propose to lowe
the standard. This was well said, AM
Democrats here, while modestly urgin
local applicants, were rather indifferen
from where the appointments were mad
providing they could point with pride an
say, "Have not the promises been kept :?
Whether the selections made are c
such fitting and unquestionable exec
lence as to warrant the disregard of tn
pledge and the ignoring of the plank @
declaration of principles quoted above
will be discussed hereafter.