Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-10-04
NOT USEFUL NOR REPUTABLE.

New York Tribune.
There are flippant Democrats who per
persist in saving: "Of course the Presi
dent is ferOciously assailed in pOlitica
canvass. Nevertheless, every homes
man knows that he has been an upright
President in his motives and has giveI
the country useful and reputable Ad,
ministration." Motives never enter in.
to a political canvass. The President is
known by his Administration, and that
has been neither useful nor reputable
\ survey of the Cabinet departments
Will prove this.
O The State Department has neglect
ed to uphold the dignity of American
diplomacy and to vindicate the rights
of American citizens. There have been
two instances of bullying of petty
States: the Cutting episode in Mexico
and the fantastic performance in the
Barbary States. Neither of these hys-
terical displays of energy was creditable.
The abandonment Of American fishing
and commercial interests and the nego-
tiation of treaty surrendering Amcri-
can rights were equally discreditable
and unnecessary. In a craven spirit the
State Department has condoned long
series of outrages on the Dominion sea
board without securing reparation for
private wrongs or National dishOnOr.
(2) The Treasury Department, instead
of deyOting the surplus revenues to a
sweeping reduction of the National
debt, as Republican Administrations
have done, has declined to order pur-
chases of outstanding bonds on large
scale, its excuse being lack of authority.
1t has allowed surplus to accumulate
unnecessarily in order that it might
avail itself of dishonest preteXt for as
sailing the industrial interests of the
country and overthrowing the protective
system. At the same time it has been
lending millions upon millions from the
Treasury vaults to the National banks
without interest when there was no ad-
equate authority for the transaction.
These banks are lending the peoples
money to their customers and making a
handsome profit. The Government re-
ceiveS no benefit from these queStiona-
bic financial operations. The National
debt is not scaled down. The surplus
is converted into an artificial menace to
American industries.
(3) The War Department has made
an ill-timed and injudicious attempt to
return the rebel flags captured by the
Union armies during the War-a pro-
ceeding that exaSperated the loyal North
and caused a painful and wholly un-
revival of sectional feeling.
az The Navy Department began OPP
erations with violent partisan warfare
upon Republican shipbuilder, whom
it succeeded in driving into bank
ruptcy and bounding to his death. 1t
continued this assault upon American
interests with systematic
attempts to discredit the vessels ordered
by the previous Administration. 1t has
ended by purchasing working plans
abroad, by discrediting American de-
signers and engineers, and contracting
for the construction of an English
American fleet of cruisers.
(5) The Department of the Interior
has dealt grudgingly with the soldiers,
gnorantly and treacherously with the
Indians, and cruelty and rapaciously |
with Western settlers. The Pension |
Bureau has been conducted in a spirit |
If sullen hostility to the veterans and
he survivors. The Indian service has |
been demoralized; benefcent reforms
which had claimed the sympathy of |
eading religious denominations have
)een abandoned; and ignorant, needy |
md Incorporate political hacks have
)een substituted for experienced and
officials.
(6) The Postmaster Generals Office
las been the headquarters of that ex-
rabble of murderers, embeZ-
.lers, thieves, ballot-bOx suffers, wife
)eaters and drunkards that has been en-
listed in the public service under the
Cleveland standard of 'Civil Service Re-
orm." Foreign steamship and trans
lines have been industriOusly
avOred at the expense of competing
American interests. The Democratic
ascality and incompetence are the only
Domestic interests that have been sys-
protected.
0 The Department of Justice has
'een the business office of a desperate
ing of telephone spectators. The At
orney General has prostituted his pub
ic functions for the mercenary ends of
he Pam Electric gamblers with whom
e was intimately associated. The
PRESIDENT has condOned his fragrant Of
ences against public morals and official
ecorum and still honOrs him with con-
dence and respect.