The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-30
A SPECULATIVE ADMINISTRATION.

some distinctive feature by which it is known
in history. Whether intentional or otherwise,
there is some suplemely dominating fact that
so stamps itself upon an administration as to
Cleveland's administration started in with
great flourish of trumpets. 1t was to be un-
derstood and known, now and forever, as the
great Reform" era of our national life and
politics. What scandalous farce has been
made Of this need not be repeated here
Suffice it that the word reform"
in connection with this administra-
ton, has become a by-word and Kissing
But, nevertheless, Mr.. Cleveland's admins
tration has already fixed for itself status in
history, and it will be known and referred to
as the speculative administration. Never has
an American administration been so tainted
with ''wild-catting' and jobbery as this. In
the first place, Secretary Whitney is redolent
with coal oil. His place in the Cabinet came
to him because he was millionaire, and
millionaire monopolist and speculator. He
had not become comfortably warm in his seat
until the Broadway railway franchises in New
York, with their colossal corruption and scan
dial. arrested public attention. Secretary
Whitney's name was unpleasantly and promi-
nently connected with them, and rumor
had it that more than once the
distinguished Cabinet counselor made
hurried trip from Washington to the environs
of New York city in connection with the
troublesome business. But, by some means or
other Mr.. Whitney escaped fatal comrro-
mise and because of the remarkable desire of
the public togive the first Democratic national
administration for thirty years an exceptional
opportunity to vindicate itself and it's party,
there was not much serious criticism passed
upon the Secretary of the Navy for his ques-
tionable relation toa job, the exposure of which
has convulsed New York as it has not been
convulsed since the day of the down
fall Of Tweed.
Following Mr. Whitney came Attorney
general Garland and the Pan-electric job
1t was proved conclusively that Mr.. Gar
land had been given large block of this
''stock" while Senator, along with other pub
lie men of note and influence. 1t was proved
that Mr.. Garland had given a legal decision of
great value to the scheme. 1t was proved
that the promoters of the company had sought
his appointment as Attorney general to fur
Their their interests, and it was proved that
after he became the chief law officer of the
government unique and anomalous proceed
ing was instituted on behalf of the United
States in the direct interest and for the direct
benefit of the company of which he was so
large a stakeholder. This particular bit of
speculation caused so decided public feeling
it necessary to enter into confidential ex-
plantations with the people-explanation that
did not explain, for the principal administra-
ton organ and mugwump pictorial continued
to caricature Garland as the new Tweed, and
all along the line, in Democratic newspapers
as well as in others, tue demand was kept up
for the retirement of the smirched Attorney
general. But all to no avail. Mr.. Cleveland
was immovable; he was impervious to the sug-
gestions of official decency, and he and his
trusted law officer together, by their moral
obtuseness, wore out the public.
Then came Secretary of the Interior Lamar
A hearing was had before him respecting the
telephone case, involving the patent covering
that invention. 1t might be of great value to
spectators to know what that decision
would be, and so the document was
left in an unlocked drawer, and
by some mysterious means became
public property before it was officially rem
dered. Not only were the Secretary and
Assistant Secretary involved in this, but it
was proved that the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs and other officers of the administra-
ton, in higher or lower place, were members
of the syndicate. Indeed, it seemed to be
that almost the entire Cleveland administra
ton was the principal party to it, together
with prominent Democrats on the outside,
like Senator Harris, of Tennessee, and others.
In the light of the Pan-electrc job, and the
character and position of the people connected
with it, the Credit Mobiier and the Whisky
Ring fade into insignifcance. Yet both
chose scandals rocked the country from CEN
ter to circumference, and, because of their
assumed connection with it, men in high
stations, and of hitherto unimpeachable char
acter, were driven from public life. Why is