The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-11-20
QUERY.

timore SIN, in its issue of Saturday
last-we think it argued, or rather
asserted editorislly, that one man could
be better qualified politically to fill an
office than another man.
Isn't it misnomer to speak of a
mans political opinions as ''qualitica-
tons" for office?
We may and do consider his political
opinions, in partizan way, as recon-
mendations for office, but "qualifca-
ton" is purely individual matter.
We use the term qualification" OF
the word ''qualified," always as mean
ing a natural endowment or acquire
ment, either moral, educational, phys
ical, mechanical or of any other char
acter which fits person for any occu-
patton, office or place.
Webster in his definition of the word
qualification quotes Edmund Burke
''There is no qualification for govern
ment but virtue and wisdom actual and
presumptive.
The definition is suggestive just III
this connection.
And this we think is the proper as
we'll as the approved use of the word. Ii
this be true, and the SIN has i'm
properly used the word, but one con-
clusion remains, that it intended to con-
vey the idea that political opinions
should be the consideration to be look
ed at in making political appointments
and not personal qualification. This is
not the Civil Service Reform idea.
But on Monday last the SIN con-
tanned an editorial, extremely laudatory
of President Cleveland, because of his
supposed devotion to Civil Service Re,
form. The article in question was in,
tended as a rebuke to partizan Demo.
cratic politicians, who were attributine
the defeat of the Democratic party in
Virginia to Mr.. Cleveland's too strict
observance of Civil Service profes-
sions, and to the fact that since his adj
ministration began, he had made polit-
ical removals too slowly.
Now, as the SIN knows, Mr.. Cleve-
land was elected President upon his
voluntary pledges made to the people
of this country, that he was sincerely in
favor of the Civil Service law, and il
elected President that he intended to
carry out that law strictly. But for such
pledges he would have been defeated.
Any other Interpretation of Mr.. Cleve-
lands position places him in fraudu-
lent light before the country. Now his
party beng openly and unequivo-
cally opposed to any honest OF
-partizan reform of the public
service, many of its most couspic-
uous leaders and managers, notice
ably Mr.. German, of Maryland, Mr..
Barbour, of Virginia, Mr.. Watterson, Of
Kentucky, and others, are now endeav-
oring to place the President in this very
position-fraudulent and inconsistent
before the country. They point to the
loss of Democratic Congressman, and
assure him that the rank and file of the
Democratic party has grown indifferent
and become apathetic toward him, be-
cause they believe in the old Jackson
ian idea ''that to the victors belong the
spoils.' They view these losses as an
unmistakable rebuke of Mr.. Cleveland's
administration. An expression of dis
pleasure by the working (?) class OF
Democrats, at the retention of so many
qualified Republicans in Office.
Now comes the issue.
The President has substantially, at
least-well except Observation-Disclosures
his pledges to the people, that he would
regard individual qualification in this
theory of official appointment, and hav-
ing done so-in degrees in just
that degree in disfavor with his party.
Now here is evidently turning point
for somebody, Either the President
must turn to Mugwumps for sympathy
and support if he persists in going on
for the next year as he has for the past
two years, or the voters in the Demo-
cratic party must turn towards some
better spokesman for presidential can
didate IN 1888.
Which is to do the turning, the Presi
dent or his party?
Here is plain, open, and unmls-
taxable issue on hand.
On which side of this question of
''reform" is the Baltimore SIN. That
is what we want to know. Its assump-
ton on Saturday that political opinions,
or political acts, constitute qualifications
for office, is totally at variance with any
reasonably sincere belief in Civil Ser
vice Reform as Mr.. Cleveland is sup
posed to interpret it.