Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-23
MUZZLING THE ORATORS.

Ihe following from the Cincinnati En-
quirer-a journal that never loved Presi-
dent Cleveland-will be of interest to all
office holders in this Territory, for two
reasons. 1t shows how far the Presidents s
order or wishes 60, and how attentive
some gentlemen are to them. Through
out the long lease of power held by the
! Republicans, it was notorious fact, that
patronage was dealt out to men of that
party, mainly with view of their USE
fulness on the stump and in the control
of local elections, and that the silver
tongued men generally got the per-
simmon. 1t was by a careful
nursing OF this plan, that the
party was enabled TO hold the
balance OF power so long, and until the
revulsion of discomfort became SO strong
as to sweep away all barriers, and the
people asserted their right to change lat
the polls. The press of that day never
tried to hide the fact of this wholesale
bidding for power, and periodically lauded
some man who had displayed good gift
of tongue, until he was duly installed into
office and branded as a reliable force
when wanted. In view of these facts,
the foolish policy of muzzling the ADLER
men OF the party, by President Cleve-
lands order, becomes doubly apparent.
There is powerful substratum of opin-
ion, however, and one which the
President must heed, holding that it is
the right OF any citizen to honorably
exercise his privilege of free speech in
connection with governmental affairs,
and that because public office is pub
lie trust, " it does not follow that honor
able men shall stand idly by and see
their enemies pluck from them, the hon.
ors given them by the public voice 1t
is pertinent to ask right here, by what
right does the President assume to con-
troll the free exercise of the right of every
citizen, simply because he is President?
This evil, for evil it is, and the crab-fash-
ioned financial policy of the present Ad-
mlnistration-especially the silver coinage
part of it's estranging many good men
from Cleveland, and the sooner he recog-
nizes this fact the better it will be for the
Democratic party:
1t is understood that Colonel Ben Wilson. |
one OF the Assistant Attorney Generals, and |
an ex-Congressman from West Virginia, is !
about to leave the city on a short vacation |
to join Senator Kenna in West Virginia to |
make few speeches in the campaign An
Enquirer representative met the Colonel at
the Department of Justice to-day, and asked
him If he was going to take any part in the
contest.
''That," answered Colonel Ben. ''had been
my expectation until to-day
When do you leave''
II expect to leave for Clarksburg to-mor-
'ow, but not to make any speeches.
And why not?" was asked.
.! mentioned to Attorney General Gar
and on tuesday evening my arrangements
20 spend part of my vacation at home next
week, and while there my desire to 90 on
he stump and make some speeches in aid
II the nominees of our party. He surprised
ne by saying that that would be against the
residents policy. | saw him again upon
he subject yesterday evening, when he told
ne that he had since seen the President
md had had conversation with him upon
he subject
And what did Mr.. Garland say was the
esult of his interview with the President?''
Simply reiteration of what he had said
Q me on Tuesday, that gentlemen holding
thclal positions are not expected to engage !
ctively in the campaign r
You say not expected. Suppose they
WELL l understood from him that the I
residents order was emphatic, and that if
ny otficeholder goes into the campaign ac- V
vely upon the stump, he would be expected t
} tender his resignation
Have you any other reason for not parti-
lpating in the campaign2'
None whatever. Twas and am anxious h
contribute in any proper way that l can
the election of the entire Democratic a
cket, from top to bottom, in each county. Il
and Senatorial district" !