Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-26
A SUICIDAL POLICY.

As ioreshadowed in these columns,
opinion in the eastern States and espe-
cially in New York. is in accord with that
given by the DEMOCRAT on the subject OF
muzzling the cloquenCe oil Democratic
Office holders by the President. A large
majority OF the leading Democrats in Of
flee to-day are men who have been idcn-
titled with the interests OF the party for
years before Cleveland became known,
and who feel an irresistible impulse to
aid in the continued supremacy of its
faith and teachings, and it is anything
but polite on the part OF the President to
tie their hands and voices, on the prudish
plea that it does not look we'll for office
holders to take the stump for their party.
The following explanation OF this ques-
tionable action by the President is the
first and only one yet appearing in print,
and its shallow reasoning will at once
strike every reader Assistant District
Attorney Wilson, oil the Department OF
Justice, West Virginian, being desrous
OF taking part in the campaign in his
State, sought personal interview with
the President, and the Baltimore Sun
gives the following as the result OF u re-
quest for an explanation of the strange
order:
'rhe President replied that he thought
the Interpretation of his order could safely
be left to the good Judgment and sense of
propriety of those whom it affected, but, as
his opinion had been asked, he would say
that, according to his ideas, it would not be
proper for officers of the executive depart
ments to make campaign speeches. The
President did not indicate that in case of
such action he would consider removal
called for"
The same paper gives the following in
the case OF Patent Commissioner Mont
gomery OF Michigan who also had an
interview with the President
Commissioner of Patents Montgomery,
who is about to revisit his State of Michi-
gan, and who had been announced for one
or two speeches there, consulted the Presi-
dent, and, as the result of their conyersa-
tion, he does not consider he is prohibited
from making one address to his constituents
at home. The situation seems to be that,
while the President would prefer that the
no more part in an election campaign than
to cast their votes he will not say that they
shall be absolutely prohibited from address,
ing the people from the stump"
The New York Sun, commenting upon
the singular results OF two interviews
having the same object, voices the
unanimous opinion OF the whole De-
mocracy Of the country, aside from the
President and his Cabinet, in the follow
ing sensible manner;
These gentlemen are certainly in a some
what embarrassing position. Out of respect
for their party they must naturally desire to
enter into its contests and proclaim and ad
vocate its principles and interests with
whatever of their ability and leisure may
be left at their disposal after supplying the
demands of their respective offices. But
out of respect to Mr. Cleveland, and from a
sincere desire to exemplify in their own
conduct the yet underlined spirit of his
political views, instead of climbing up on
the stump and telling their hearers in inter
esting and convincing ways that they ought
to vote the Democratic ticket, and they will
give it so wide a berth that the contagion of
its proximity and the sound of the new
speakers voice shall not even induce them
to raise cheer for the old party that they
once belonged to. What shall they do?
Our private opinion is that Grover Cleve-
land would, on the whole, in spite of his alb
stract preference for a ten-foot fence be-
tween otioeholders and politics, prefer to
see the Democratic party still inspired by
sound and sacred Democratic ideas, and
still lively and irresistible with countless
outspoken and enthusiastic Democrats.
The party to obtain power is ever the
one that makes the boldest and ablest
canvass of the people, and the shutting
off of the members OF the Democratic
party who have been given Office because
they were in accord with the Administra-
ton, is not only thin-skinned sensitive
ness on the part OF the President, but OF
downright suicidal tendency to the
continued supremacy OF the political faith
that made him the Chief Executive OF
the Nation, and exemplifed the wishes
OF the masses of the people.
an