The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-12-03

1t is now two years since Mr.. Cleve- |
land was chosen TO fill the position OF
President, and the result Of his rule is
now before the people and are legiti- |
mate subjects of criticism by the Ameri-
can people.
That 1t has not been productive even
to moderate extent of what was eX-
pected by the party that nominated him,
what was promised in the party plat
form, his letter of acceptance ar his in
augnral message is moi now II dcbatable
question. The promised reform of pub
lie abuses, retrenchment IN "XpcnoIt-
ures, the abolition of bureaus and conse-
quent diminution of officers and strict
adherence TO civil service. But all these
fine pledges SO pleasing 10 the ear haye
been broken TO the heart. The better
Class of Democrats have wearied with
| remonstrance and ceased to apologize
for his weakness and shortcomings and
their hopes of improvement are dead;
their confidence, if they ever had any, in
his ability or sincerity is wrent. Demo-
Gratis vent their disgust in bitter taunts,
while mugwump followers of this great
civil service reformer are dumb with
disgust, shame and disappointment, that
this huge Buffalo reformer that they
elevated to the Presidency, has proved
himself so utterly false to his pledges
that he stand in their own as well as the
public estimation as the most graceless
hypocrite that was ever elevated to an
exalted position by the votes of Ameri-
can citizens. The only people in Ameri-
"a that contemplate the course of the
Presidents past two years with any de-
gree Of complacency are the Republic
ans who may well found hopes for their
future as they contemplate your blund-
ers in the past.
1t is probably due to the Democratic
party that during the canvas preceding
Growers election, they were very mod
crate in their eulogies of the ability
and craftsmanship, but when it came to
reform and economy" their tongues
were loosened and their pens moved
with wonderful ease and CELEBRITY.
But where is the reform? ANY abuses
existed, can the Democracy name one
that has been reformed? No bureau has
been demolished, not even drawer
handle has been removed. Ii was even
proposed in the last session of Congress
To have II new one set mp, ana instead
cr diminishing the offices To have them
increased. The expenditures were not
diminished but largely increased. No
burdens of the people have been lifted
from the shoulders of the people, moth
ing has been reformed, although for two
wears this huge reformer has held the
reins of government in his hands and
drove the machine according to his own
sweet will. His grand opportunities for
acquiring fame by an exhibition of man.
hood, craftsmanship AMI justice have all
, been lost. Knowing as he must have
known that but for the ravishment OF
the colored mems right of franchise in
the solid South, not even the Mugwump
vote of New York could have secured
his election, he has been as mute as a
dead oyster on that subject. The emol-
, uments of the position was dearer to his
world which he might have gained by
acting the part of an honest, high-toned
man and nobly declining to accept hon
ors obtained at the expense of justice
and good faith. Thousands. yea hun
dreds of thousands of his fellow men
who are as much, if not as good cit.
liens as himself, should be banished from
the country byhis recent action in the case
, of Villas and others who defied his order
! and plunged into the late canvas and
left their official duties uncared for while
they engaged in political log rolling foI
their future benefit. His retention OF
Villas in the cabinet, the restoration Of
b. those suspended in a pretence of obedi-
ence, very questionable exercise Of
: presidential authority TO civil Sc rvice
. laws, has convinced the Mugwumps thai
, he never had any heart i'm his pretend
ed reverence for the law. But if Cleve
: land has failed in all else or all Other
II attributes essential to manhood and the
u highest position i'm the gift of the peo
! pie, how is it in the matter of economy
L On this point, the party, judging by hi
> past life, were loud in pledges. They
knew no man could live i'm communi
ty for years and pay less taxes thar
q Cleveland, and they argued from thai
that he would be just the man to place
at the head of the nation to look after
the interests of the nation, but they did
: not stop to consider that all these
exhibitions of economy had been with
direct reference to his own persona
u benefit, or that the Ethiopian was quite
e as likely to change his skin or the
u leopard his spots, as the selfish misel
Z. and ambitious demagogue into an hon
u orable high-toned gentleman as mind
y ful of the rights and interest of other.
Z as of his own. 1t is true he claims tC
have saved a thousand dollars to the
United States Treasury in repairing the
White House; he also gave from hi.
own pocket TO a confederate soldiers
home to aid the Charleston sufferers; bu
S in no single thing has he reformed any
: public abuse, economical in any public
> expenditure, and the Democracy are
n gazing upon their elephantine chieftair
: with mingled feelings of disgust and
4. wonder Disguised with themselves thai
> they could be 30 easily deceived in bit
: selection, that he has secured 80 much
) from the Democracy and has gwen &c
little back and wondering why 80 huge
body could grow and flourish on
: American soil with 30 infinitissmal 9
[ soul TO immortaliZe it.
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