New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-18
hiring the lAraest returns to the cities VINO
poured out millions to construct 1t.
~ RxB1RRASsED MUGWUMP

Judging from tho GU trent number of Harpers
Weekly, that journal OF civilization has paired
off with itself on the question OF the signifi-
canoe OF President Cleveland as Civil Service
reformer. 1t is still epamored with his Civi
Service reform words, but it has become dis
gusted with his Civil Service reform actions.
Which speak tho louder, words or actions
The Weekly does not address itself to this in
quiry; 1t merely indicates that its essential
opinions of Mr.. Cleveland are tied.
1t ia interesting to note the terms in which
the tie is revealed. Here is The We'klys
euogy of Mr.. Cleveland's Civil Service reform
words, in its leader on aThe Presidents Mes-
sage":
His remarks upon reform in the Civil Service in
cord with his known convictions and the force with
which he expresses himself shows at least conscious
ness OF disposition surrender to the spells politicians
OF his party He not likely TO dsappont the just hopes
OF reform by abandonment Of faith In Its principles
His danger lies rather in mistaken view OF expediency
and In regarding earnest exhoraton TO pursue course
plainly founded upon principle as misguided zeal Inc
Message Is welcome TO every patriotic heart
And here is The Wesk'y's CRITICISM of Mr..
Cleveland's Civil Service reform actions, in its
article, In tho same issue, on "The Benton
Stone Affair.":
But the reinstatement OF Mr. Benton and the refusal to
renstste Mr. Stone in accord with no principle ana
fagranty inconsistent with the distinct declaration
OF the President In the League letter. The eer In tho
case OF Mr. Stone in effect although not in Intention
an abandonment OF the principle OF REFORM md asserts
what practically impossible distinction between per-
missibe and permissible campaign speeches by such
officers. The only fair and practicable rule for
ocehoders during their term OF office Is the quiet and
unobtrusvo exercise OF individual rghts This rule the
President has abrogated by the reinstatement OF Mr. Bon
ton which reversal of the policy OF REFORM as Is
shown concusvey by the delight OF Republicans, who
point It proof either OF Executive weakness or
fay and by the shouts OF Democratic enemies OF tho
haIng what they declare to be the sign
OF surrender tn, spos bosses of their party The
confidence OF refomers is necessarily shaken not In the
Presidents convictions purpose but in his Judgment.
step which is in every way unfortunate for while
II does really concate his Democratic enemies. 1t
does undoubtedly disturb and chill his Independent
friends
1t will be seen that this Is pretty bad case
of paired-off convictions. The Presidents re-
marks upon reform" are in accord with his
known convictions, while his actions upon re-
form are "1agrantly inconsistent " with his
known convictions" The President, on the
evidence furnished by his words, I" is not likely
to disappoint the just hopes of reform by an
abandonment of faith in Its principles "; never
theless, on the CIV dence furnished by his actions
in question he has becn guilty of an abandon
ment of the principle of reform" The Pres.
ident, while dealing with reform in tho alb
stract, shows no consciousness OF n disposition
to surrender to the sroils politicians of his
party; but the President, while dealing with
reform in the concrete, has done that by which
the confidence of reformers is necessarily
shaken"
Even il thi. were not the Christmas season
The Week would receive good deal of acute
sympathy, for verify it is in distressing plight.
When an old hymn-writer exclaimed, Blessed
be the tie,n it is certain that he was thinking
of no such tie as that of which our esteemed
contemporary is now the victim.