The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-10
a FOE TO JOBS.


the President Is Causing PoIiticians-A
Business-Like, Common-Sense, Fearless,
Honest and Able Democratic Executive.
The conscientious industry of Presi-
dent Cleveland. shown in his careful
examination of every bill laid before
him, is the wonder of members of Con-
gress, who did not look for such close
scrutiny into private bills in which they
were interested. They can not under
stand how the President, in his multi
tudinous duties and cares, can find
time to 90 below the surface of appar-
emily inoffensiye measures and expose
their real nature and object, which is
generally raid on the treasury with
out any adequate return for the peo-
J pies money. But they little know Mr..
Cleveland capacity for work and that
his vetOes form the most prominent
and positive part of his record He
made it point as mayor and Governor
of studying carefully every measure
laid before him, not only with a view
of judging of its effect and bearing
upon public interests, but to ascertain
/ that it was consistent with existing
laws and free in its form from such de-
fects as would produce trouble in its
operation. Any tinge of jobbery rem
derS bill, no matter whence it ema-
| mates, obnoxious to him. He evinces
the utmost candOr in his vetoes. and
| completely disregards the question
whether certain persons or interests
would not be aggrieved by the failure
of measures which he believes are not
demanded by the wider interests of the
public.
Some superficial observers may look
upon this as not good politics, but those
who study the character of the Amer
lean people to advantage will regard
it as the highest and most successful
standard of politics. President Cleve-
land has steadily kept in view the rule
of action he laid down as mayor of
Buffalo in a communication to the
Common Council. 1T seems to me-"
he then said, "that Il successful and
faithful ministratiOn of the government
of city may be accomplished by cor
Stantly bearing in mind that we are
the trustees and agents of our fellow
trust, to be expended for their benefit,
that we should at all times be prepared
70 render an honest account to them
touching the manner of their eXpendi-
ture, and that the affairs of the CITY
should be conducted, as far us possible,
upon the same principles as good
business man manages his private ccs:,
cerns.' This may not be the recog.
nized rule of action in some political
circles, but it tells powerfully with the
people. 1t is orthodox Democratic
doctrine, expounded at many conven-
ton and many meeting, nOtwith-
standing the growl of some so-called
Democratic papers, which are incensed
because President Cleveland adhereS to
the pledges of the party platform with
the strictest fidelity
He has incurred the enmity of GER
tain office-seekers, political leaders,
who bOasted of their power to use him
and editors, who imagined that he
would unhesitatingly agree TO all their
suggestions. Those people make a
great outcry and cause the unthinking
to imagine that there is a formidable
opposition arrayed against the Presi-
dent, all on account of the offices and
his Independent way of conducting the
affairs of his Administration. Do they
ever reflect that there are millions of
voters, whose concern is not Offices,
but the honest and safe administration
of the affairs of the Government? Mr.
Cleveland is, immeasurably, a better
Democrat than any of his critics. for
he has respect for the pledges of the
party, and aims at giving a f>ultless
administration of the affairs of the
whole people and placing himself
abreast with the spirit of the times, in
stead of falling back on old policies
and forgotten issues. He steadfastly
refuses to be led away from the path
of duty, no matter what pressure is
brought to bear on him, replying to all
in the memorable words: 1T is will
full blindness not to see that the people
care but little for party obligations
when they are invoked to countenance
and sustain fraudulent and corrupt
practices. And it is well for our coun-
try and the publication of politics, the
people, at times fully reused to danger,
remind their leaders that party meth
ods should be something more than a
means used to answer the purposes of
those who profit by political occupa-
ton"
Against such a man the clamor of
politicians is powerless
His strength lies in the hearts of the
people and there is daily developing
until when the time comes to test it the |
would-be dictators in the councils of |
The party will be astonished to find |
how insignificant they are when
against such fearless, pains
taking, conscientious leader. Mr.. |
Cleveland has demonstrated to the |
country that the Democratic party may
be relied upon for faithful admins
ion of the affairs of the Government |
and that treachery, hypocrisy and
betrayal of pledges do not characterize
he course of that party when it is IN
power. When Congress experiences a
ew more of his vetoes, II will, perhaps,
earn what manner of man Grover
Cleveland is, as the guardian of the in
erests of the people and the uncOm-
foe to jobs, be they ever so
llluring and artfully disguised.-At-
amy Argus.