The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-06
CHARGING 1T TO CLEVELAND.
The Democratic Defeat Attributed to tn
Io.a<x- tho Administrators,

The Democratic Defeat Attributed to the
Poiicy of the Administration.
Washington Special to Louisville courier-Journai
President Cleveland and the administration
may CLEAN some encouragement and nurse some
consolation from the skirmish preceding the
great battle of '88 which took place in this coun-
try Tuesday, but must confess that the pure
and straight Democratic masses at the seat of
the national government view the situation in
the most discouraging light. 1t has been her.
aided from Washington and from Indianapolis
by Indiana politicians and friends of the Presi-
dent, for the last two months that the Hoosier
State wonld certainly give handsome majority
for the Democratic State ticket, and that there
was no doubt of the Legislature and the sue
cession of Mr. Mcdonald, or some other good
Democrat, to the seat now occupied by Senator
Harrison. All these claims were prefaced by
the assertion that the policy of the adp1inistra
ton was heartily Endorsed by the Democracy OF
Indiana. l knew that these claims were not
good knew the Democratic party of Indiana
about as well as any Democrat can. and was
satisfied in my own mind that the President, In
his refusal to recognize the Indiana Democrats
they deserved to be recognized, had made
him and his administration many enemies In
that State
The fact is that Indiana comes next to New
York as a great fighting political State. Both
sides In Indiana as a rule, organize and work
hard for the success of their ticket For the last
month have been In close contact with the De
mocracy of Indiana | am constrained to admit
that l was discouraged at the little interest
evinced in national politics by old-line Demo
Gratis. honestly believe that if it had not been
for sharp. close and personal local contests In
number OF counties and districts, Indiana would
have gone Republican last Tuesday by 2, 900
majority. / asked prominent Democrat In
Jeffersonville a week before the election
the of the general apathy which un-
doubtedly prevailed. He said: eve feel
treated " by VAC the present adminssra-
ton. 1 DO not want any Office, because
my business pays me handsomely, but have
friends, the very best of Democrats, whom |
tried to help, and can get not even recognition
from the powers that be at Washington. did
not expect, when Mr. Cleveland was elected and
supposed Democrats took charge of matters at
the seat of government, that there would be an
lEdiscriminate turning out of Republicans but
did expect that the Democrats would be decently
treated. l did not think that they would be
snubbed as they have been, and the few who
have been given offices rebuked for even daring
to declare their intentions to give aid and COM
fort to the Democratic candidates. / believe
that President Cleveland is an honest man. but
do not believe that he is just man. If he
we're just man he would see that the Demo
Gratis who elevated him to his high position re-
ceived justice at his hands"
Inc dUON0 Is Only d Sdtupi0 Oh bHo way
dreds of men talk across the river from Louis
Vile This feeling extended all through the
State, and the only reason that the Democratic
leaders Of Indiana claimed that they would carry
the State was upon their presumption that it
would go that way as a matter of course. There
is not in Indiana to-day prominent man iden-
titled with the Democratic party who is not in
his heart opposed to the manner in which Mr..
Cleveland has disposed of his patronage. In
stating this / do not intend to be understood as
SAYING that the Indiana Democrats are opposed
to civi-service reform. because they are not.
They are intelligent men. and understand very
we'll the difference between the administration OF
genuine ivilsservice reform in the government,
and the mode and manner in which Offices have
been given and taken in the name of civil-serv-
ice reform. The National Democratic plat
form of 1876, 1880 and 1884 declared for civil
service reform, and President Cleveland is
right in executing it; but President Cleve
land has transcended his powers in its exc
cution. There are hundreds and thousands
of Offices held in this country to day by fenY WHO
have been fighting the Democratic party for
twenty five years, and these Offices do not come
under civil-servce reform classification. This
statement is true-the President knows it is
true, and the Democratic party is satisfied of its
truth. President Cleveland refused to take
piece of good Democratic timber from Indiana to
construct his Cabinet He also refused, and has
refused up to this day, to give to Indiana Demo
Gratis any sort Of respectable recognition. He
has, in fact, denied them nearly everything that
they have asked for, and mas lavlshed upon he-
publican States like Pennsylvania and Massa-
chusetts the richest and choicest gifts. 1t may
be that Indiana Democrats have succeeded in
carrying the Legislature, and thereby put them
selves in position to send Democrat to the
Senate but if they have they owe no thanks for
this result to Washington. 1t would have been
so easy for Mr.. Cleveland to have aided the Indi-
ana Democracy, and made that State perfectly
secure ard safe for 1883, but by his GOODNESS to-
ward the rank and file there he has created the
fOu &hnu oil hf,f md nnh ffy11
contest at the next national election.