The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-12
PURITAN POLITICIANS.

The Massachusetts Office Holders--I
Men Appointed on Their Department.
Washington Special TO New York Herald.
The friends of this administration claim that
Its chief merit is based upon its high civilservice
reform character. The mugwump friends of Mr..
Cleveland claim that the federal service has been
constantly improved since his accession to Office.
To see whether this claim has any foundation
in fact, it is worth while to review the appoint
ments made by Mr.. Cleveland since March T.
1885, This can be done by taking up the ap-
pointments in each State I will begin this la
Dor with Massachusetts, the home of he
mugwumps. Mr.. Cleveland has not made
many appointments for this State.
His first prominent appointment was
that of Endicott as Secretary OF War There is
a bit of unwrtten history in connection with
bis appointment. Congressman Patrick Collins
was promised the representation of Massachn-
sets In the Cabinet He was told that he was
TO be Secretary of tha Navy Mr. Endicott went
to Albany for the purpose of urging Mr. Col
lins's selection. While there Mr.. Cleveland be-
came so captivated By his department. that ne
offered him a place in his Cabinet. Mr. Endicott
is an eminently respectable man, but he is weak
and absolutely represents no political force in
Massachusetts. He has 10 more influence in
public affairs at Washington than any clerk in
his department. He is NICE well-fed. well
gr00med, clean looking man who never tires OF
gazing upon his own portrait. and who never
forgets to congratulate himself upon the fact
that he is descendant of one Of the Mayfower
families.
The principal Office in Massachusetts, the col
leetor OF customs was given to one of Mr.. End-
colts friends. Saltonstall, the collector is sixty
years old, tall. ruddy, with q big nose, and his
face is set off by great name of white gray
hair. His family, too. came over in the May
flower. He belongs to what is called in Boston
fbnrch a m at nf rQ-
hgious individuals who firmly believe that when
they come TO die they will pass directly to re-
serve seats in heaven without any preliminary
examination. Mr.. Saltoustall is not a business
man. He is respectable nonentity of the same
tribe and class as Mr. Endicott AS he is not a
business man he is wholly untitled for the duties
of the Office. Consequently the Office is run by
the deputy collector, Colonel Fisk, who is Re-
publican, and who has been in the custom house
for the last twenty years Under Colonel Fisk's
management all the Republicans in that
Office have been retained, while the
ancient Saltonstall poses, initiates his breast,
and rebukes any of the ungodly Democracy not
belonging to the First Church who venture to
come to him for favors. Peter. Butler was the
man who should have been appointed collector.
He is an old and wealthy Boston merchant. He
is a splendid business man, and was Endorsed 5y
merchants representing over $50, 900, 900 of
property. His character is so high that he could
have had at any time in the past any Office in
the gift of the Democracy in that State. He has
B06O
cratic campaigns. He has always been Demo
GRAFT Saltonstall was bolter of tbs Democratic
party when Butler was first nominated by the
Democrats for Governor of that State. No Mas
sachusetts Democrat who has ever supported
Butler prominently has been recognized By this
administration Nobody asked to have Salton-
stall appointed collector but Mr.. Endicott.
After having appointed so negative political
character to the most important Office in the
State the President then appointed D. O. Kemp
nj NaV HrF rf1in Ea fc opxy
vigorous partisan, and since his appointment has
violated. without any rebuke from the admins
traton, all the spirit of every one Of the civil
service rules by presiding over Democratic
State convention in New Hampshire. Pillsbury
who was appointed collector OF internal revenue,
was rejected by the Senate on account OK his
previous connection with the alleged election
frauds in Maine His successor, Colonel Fitz-
gerald, IS =, a good man, but is very active
partisan. There three important offices in
the State which have not been changed by the
President because Mr.. Endicott and Congress
man Collins cannot agree. Mr.. Endicott wants
Mayhower citizens appointed. and Mr.. Collins
insists on having good Democrats who have
equal social standing, but not so long pedigree
The postmaster at Boston, Tobey, is one of the
most efficient postmasters IN the country.
He IS now serving his third term.
During President Arthur's administration
he appointed commission TO examine
the business methods of tbs Boston postoffice
The present Third Assistant Postmaster general
Mr.. Hazen, was at the head of this commission
The report that they made upon the condition of
affairs in the Boston postofice was one of the Sc
verest ever submitted to the department The
severity was so great aud the condemnation so
sweeping that the department. has refused to give
out the report Mr.. Villas has also refused to let
this report see the light since this incompetent
man continues TO be retained in Office The sec
ond Office which is still held by Republican is
that of encouragement. The present ircum
bent of this Office is Gen. A. B. Underwood. He
has been twenty years in Office. He, too, has
been condemned by the report of an official com
mission organized by Dir. Foger when he was
Secretary of the Treasury. This commission,
gnder Republican administration. found that
the Office was q useless one. aud recommended
hat it DO abolished They also reported that