The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-10-27
ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA, WEDNESDAY,, OCTOBER n, 1885,
cLEvELAND's ADMINISTRATION

cLEvELAND'S ADMINISTRATION
A General Review of It by Postmaster
General Villas in Letter to His Wis
consin Constituents.
When President Cleveland took Of
flee large number of our fellow-citi-
zens had been taught to expect little
less than National calamity to follow
Democratic ascendancy. Distrusting
the pledges Of the party to the people,
and failing to comprehend its benign
principles, many who believed the OPP
.eratlons of government would prove q
disastrous failure, the public service be
imbecile, the finances lily managed,
the revenues but half collected or half
squandered, our pensioners 60 unpaid,
our public lands be lost, our colored
citizens relegated to servitude and all
securities for business disappear. Weak
and credulous, indeed, must be the
man who longer yields faith to such
dreadful prophesies. In the eighteen
months which have passed not only
the ordinary operations of the Govern
ment have proceeded without difficulty
or disturbance, but already many
pledges have found redemption. Vast
quantities of the public lands which
had fallen under private control have
been reclaimed and saved for settlers,
and measures of economy in collections
of revenues and expenditures have
yielded good results.
For a summary proof, contrast the
business of the treasury during the
two last fiscal years. of which the Act
ing Secretary, Mr.. Fairchild, has kind
ly furnished me statement. During
the year ended June 80, 1885, the re-
ceipts were 1925, $50, 706SS, and dur
ms the year ended June 80, 1886,
1886. 439, 727. 06, while the expenditures
of the former period were $3.50, 1885,
935.11, as against only $242, 483, 1873. so
in the latter. Or roundly stated, more
revenue was collected during the last
than during the preceding years by
$13, 900, 600, while the expenditures
were decreased by $18.00O.OOO, not
withstanding also the increase in pay
ments for pensions was over 81, 000,-
600. This brief statement is an ex-
ponent of the Administration of Grover
Cleveland, and a volume of testimony
at once that much was need and much
has been done, faithfully; also has the
President pressed the reformation of
the civil service according to the re-
peated promises of the party. Many
difficulties have crossed the way and
many misconceptions taken place.
The teaching Of years that civil
officer must be party laborer had
rendered incumbents generally OBJ
noxious to just complaint and marked
them to the censure of opponents.
Thus numerous changes were Justly
due, which, when made, have highly
fired the zeal for reform in the breasts
of our adversaries, and unavoidable
delays have disturbed some friends,
who recognized such changes to be de-
manded. Yet amidst all the steady
purpose has maintained it's way, and
with patriotism and patience the party
has maintained its President and its
good faith, and the cause of good gov
eminent made substantial progress.
Another result bright with promise
to the Republics future, is the COM
plete fruition of the purposes of the
great ar in the restoration of har-
mony and good feeling between the
sections of the country, a result which
only could have come by the success OF
national party. and a result which the
great Captain of the Union bore his
witness of with the declaration he had
wished to see it ever since the war--a
condition of genuine fraternity so no.
bly, marked as to stir the profoundest
emotion by the spectacle now present
ed of the survivors of the Grand Army
with golden contributions striving to
bind the wounds of desolate Charles
ton. By many testimonies. indeed,
the security of the past is fixed, and
the impulses of national ambition to
win great future are exhib-
tied. The eye is bent hopefully
forward now, and a wise guidance
of the years before, not revenges for
the past, is the care of the thoughtful
citizen. The duty and opportunity OF
such leadership belong now to the
Democratic party. Its principles are
wisely adapted to the needs of the
Republic and the, prosperity of the
people. If it shall meet the axigen-
cies of the time, its restored power
will be such as was its original pos
session from the day of jefferson,
with brief Interruptions. for more
than half a century. Nothing will
more forward such accomplishment
than temperate discussion among
those who differ, and patient and
manly persistence in the cultivation Of
harmonious feeling and action.
(Signed) WILLIAM F. Villas.