Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-02-10
LOCAL APPOINTMENTS.

The DEMOCRAT a few days since referred
to appointments for Utah by Mr.. Cleve-
land. We think the circumstances justify
a further discussion of the subject. News
paper men not infrequently warp out of
shape the talk of men in exalted posi-
tions, when caught off their guard. to
serve the purposes of their party. There
is little reason to believe, however, that
the quartet OF reporters combined 10 in
vent statements or misrepresent the say
ings of inexperienced Dement,; in
deed, it was plain from the first that his
assertions would lead to further discus
sion, and probable investigation. Such
has not only been the result, but he has
received such shaking up from the press
as to give him, for the time being at
least. national notoriety. Such being the
case, and since Utah is more interested
in the matter than any other sec
ton, the DEMOCRAT thinks there
could be no more fitting time to
discuss, not only MIR. Dement, and his
appointment, but the manner rather than
the personnel of the appointments made
for Utah since our party came into power.
The Presidential patronage has grown
to such an extent that it is not possible
for that officer to know all, indeed
tithe, of the men he must name for po-
sitions For this, if for no other reason,
the Democratic doctrine of having the
locality where the service is to be rem
dered furnish, endorse and become re-
sponsible for the officer has been settled
upon as best; hence the platform adopted
at Chicago in July, 1884, to which Mr..
Cleveland subscribed, and to which his
administration is pledged, has the follow
ing:
The selection of Federal officers for the
Territories should be restricted to citizens
previously resident therein.
This plank is brief and plain, and in
accordance with the teachings of the
party and commended by experience.
To a considerable extent in the other
Territories the pledge has been kept, but
not in Utah. Does the peculiar condition
of affairs here justify the sweeping ex-
ception practised in our case? We think
not. Local Democrats were willing to
admit that the peculiar condition of the
Territory might warrant the Presi-
dent in exercising greater latitude
in selecting, especially as to certain
officers, and it is admitted that
local candidates were urged with less
persistency than from any other section.
This of itself should have gained for us
greater consideration, and if the selection
were to be made from the sixty millions
outside. we were justified in expecting
they would be well and wisely made. =
This Territory is the most prominent,
populous and troublesome under the care
of the general Government, and is de.
serving OF special attention When Eng
land has a troublesome colony she sends
able men, selected with Judgment and
with a view to their peculiar fitness
for the place. The Administration
at its outset gave out that in
filling offices or in making changes
1t did not propose to lower
the standard. This was well said, and
Democrats here, while modestly urging
local applicants, were rather Indifferent
from where the appointments were made
providing they could point with pride and
say, Have not the promises been kept?"
Whether the selections made are of
suct fitting and unquestionable excel
lence as to warrant the disregard of the
pledge and the ignoring of the plank or
declaration of principles quoted above,
will be discussed hereafter.