Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-10-26
A SUICIDAL POLICY.

As foreshadowed in these columns.
opinion in the eastern States and espe-
cially in New York, is in accord with that
given by the DEMOCRAT on the subject of
muzzling the eloquence of Democratic
Office holders by the President A large
majority OF the leading Democrats in Of
flee to-day are men who have been iden-
tilted with the interests of the party for
years before Cleveland became known,
and who feel an irresistible impulse to
aid in the continued supremacy of its
faith and teachings, and it is anything
but polite on the part OF the President to
tie their hands and voices, on the prudish
plea that it does not look we'll for Office
holders to take the stump for their party.
The following explanation of this ques-
tonable action by the President is the
first and only one yet appearing in print,
and its shallow reasoning will at once
strike every reader Assistant District
Attorney Wilson, of the Department of
Justice, a West Virginian, being desirous
OF taking part in the campaign in his
State, sought u personal interview with
the President, and the Baltimore Sun
gives the following as the result of re-
quest for an explanation of the strange
order
The President replied that he thought
the Interpretation of his order could safely
be left to the good judgment and sense of
proprlety OF those whom it affected, but. as
his opinion had been asked, he would say
that, according to his ideas it would not be
proper for officers of the executive depart
ments to make campaign speeches. The
President did not indicate that in case of
SUCH action he would consider removal
called for"
The same paper gives the following in
the case of Patent Commissioner Mont |
somery of Michigan who also had an
interview with the President:
Commissioner of Patents Montgomery.
VINO is about to revisit his State of Michi- !
gan, and who had been announced for one T
or two speeches there, consulted the Presi-
dent, and, as the result of their conversa-
ton, he does not consider he is prohibited
from making one address to his constituents !
at home. The situation seems to be that.
while the President would prefer that the
officials of his Administration should take
no more part IN an election campaign than
to cast their votes, he will not say that they
shall be absolutely prohibited from address
ing the people from the stump
The New York San, commenting upon
the singular results of two interviews
having the same object, voices the {
unanimous opinion OF the whole De-
mocracy of the country, aside from the ;
President and his Cabinet, in the follow {
ing sensible manner: {
These gentlemen are certainly in a some '
what embarrassing position. Out of respect ,
Tor their party they must naturally desire to
enter into its contests and proclaim and ad- L
Vocate ats principles and interests with &
Whatever OF their ability and leisure may ,
be left at their disposal after supnIvino tbe
demands of their respective offices. But 2
out OF respect to Mr.. Cleveland, and from a !.
sincere desire to exemplify in their own l
conduct the yet underlined spirit of his t
political views, instead of climbing up on {
the stump and telling their hearers in inter
estlng and convincing ways that they ought
10 vote the Democratic ticket, and they will 4
yive 1T so wide berth that the contagion of :,
is proximity and the sound of the new Il
peakers voice shall not even induce them 7
% raise cheer for the old party that they -
,nce belonged to. What shall thew do? II
bur private opinion is that Grover Cleve- n
and would, on the whole, in spite of his alb 6,
tract preference for a ten-foot fence be- ~
ween officeholders and politics. prefer to a
zee the Democratic party still inspired by 7
ound and sacred Democratic ideas, and
till lively and irresistible with countless
and enthusiastic Democrats. re
The party to obtain power is ever the d
ne that makes the boldest and ablest 81
anvass of the people, and the shutting W
ID of the members of the Democratic Y
arty who have been given office because 70
hey were in accord with the Administra I'll
on, is not only thin-skinned sensitive W
ess on the part of the President, but of ii
downright suicidal tendency to the th
supremacy of the political faith pt
nat made him the Chief Executive OF 70
ne Nation, and exemplifed the wishes al
the masses of the people. n