Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-11-04
1889 AxD 1859.
The Remark abIe Advance am Public
MpRAlEsys

The Remark abfe ADVANCE an PUBIC
Morality
Allwho wish to have intelligent opinions
on public matters should read the follow
ing from Tuesdays New York EVeAing |
Post. One of the most encouraging |
signs of the times ia the public attention |
which is now given to complaints of in |
reference in politics onthe part of Demo.
cratic Federal officials. A charge that
such an official has used his position to
control the action of party convention
is sure TO arouse interest and there is a
demand for a full presentation of the
facts in every case Instead of being re.
garded as only natural incident, OF
which nobody has any right TO complain,
auch q performance provokes severe criti-
cism from the mass Of the community, and
few people have assurance enough TO at
tempt defence of the offender where his
guilt is made plain.
10 realize what an immense gain has
been made in this respect within brief
space OF time, 1t is only necessary to recall
the wonderful contrast presented by the
action of the Republican party only two
years ago. Iu 1884 1.-THE party OF moral
ideas" appealed for popular support on
the ground that it was the only party
service reform. II therefore nominated
for the Presidency man who when, as
speaker of the House, he was called upon
| to appoint committee on this subject,
made that unblushing champion of the
/ spoils doctrine, Benjamin Il. Butler, its
/ ruling spirit, and provided lit associates
| for him among the other members. In
order that no doubt might be left as to
II Aba az IN. 10 tah Nv
Blaine occupied, he. proceeded to give
the country an object lesson rs TO tue
relation which members of the civil ser
vice should huld towards party politics.
| He started from his home ON long cleo.
pioneering tour, which consumed several
weeks and carried him over large part of
the country. He took with him ON this long
tour, as political attendant, to render him
all manner OF personal service, the post
master of Augusta, who was paid large
salary by taxes raised from the people OF
both parties for discharging the duties of
that office. He called to his aid the United
States district attorney for the Eastern
district of New York, and the occupant
of that responsible position in the judicial
branch of the Federal government aban-
doned his post to deliver series of stump
speeches, in which he virulently assailed
the man who was then likely soon to be,
and who shortly after really was his oth
cial superior as head of the government.
He commended the zeal of the commits.
aioner of pensions--a man who had beer
appointed by Garfield three years befort
! solely on the ground Of partisan service
in the campaign of 1880-when this com
, missioner left a bureau in which the worl
was shamefully behindhand and devoted
, weeks which he owed to the public service
to the management of the Republican
campaign in Ohio, then an "octobel
stete.n
Not only did Mr.. Blaine thus prostitut,
the civil service of the people to the ad
. vantage of one political party, but it VIA
notorious that such partisan abuse o
!, official position was the surest road to hi
favor should he become President. TIL
/, conduct of Postmaster Manley, District
Attorney Tenney, and Pension Commis
sioner Dudley in the fall of 1888
y should have insured their promp
a dismissal, yet everybody knew tina
they not only incurred no DANCE
il of that just penalty in case Q
MIR. Blaine's election, but, on the con
trary, were taking the best course 10 Sc
cure their promotion to higher positions
Moreover, it was made known to a
Federal officials that it was at the risk c
losing their places in case Of Republica
success that they refused TO do any part
q san service required of them, and it wa
notorious that black list was made {
10 | clerks at Washington who failed to dii
play proper activity in the campaign an
:, who were to be decapitated as soon Q
Mr.. Blaine came in.
In the autumn of 1856 it seems almoI
., incredible that in the autumn of 1884
great political party presented cand
oI date for the Presidency who made sue
in open proclamation of his contempt fC
/ civil service reform and of his purpos
10 to shave no nonsense about his admin
istration in case Of his election.
Federal officials under Democrat
N. President were to be guilty of sue
shameless abuse of official trust nov
BIZ the administration could not stand up fl
b Ray under Ire volume Of inst criiicis
d. which tho HlsGonduct would proYok
Yst two Yeas aso no Republican olse
I'M raised even faint protest against NJ
Blaine's conduct.
nd That even the mildest abuse Of pow
by Federal official is now visited wi
sw public censure, constitutes the sure
proof that reform ideas have nude wo
o,1 derful progress. But the Republics
:" newspapers which kept silence under Il
performances of their own party al
their own candidate two years ago show
H. rare quality Of impudence in their cri
cisna upon Democratic officials und
OF MIR. Cleveland for less fragrant offenc
now. The people have keen scent
an hypocrisy, and they rate at it's prop
on value the present virtuous attitude on d
"" question of interference in Federal Of
ID cials of Republican organs which ST
20 tanned the champion of the spoils poll
as in 1884 and are now clamoring for his /
est nomination as the best exponent of tn,
ce- party in 1855.
mt