River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-05-24
clEvElANp,s PROMISES.
An Independents Religious Journal Tx
poses the Presldent's HynocrIsx.

An independent Religious Journal Ex-
poses the Presidents Hypocrisy.
1t is now quite evident that the can
lidate of the Democratic party in the
coming campaign is to be Grover
Cleveland. We do not say that it Is
not fit nomination to be mad by
that party. We are inclined to think
that the man and the party are exactly
suited TO each other
As 10 the man. he stands at present
on a level with his party, When he
was nominated and elected he was
hailed rs n great political rcformer,
who would lift his party TO high po-
sition and give the country an inn
proved system of public service. What
has he done TO fulfill his own pledges
and the expectations of his original
mugwump sponsors?
He gave a solemn pledge that the
Government should be conducted on
sound business principles. Men were
to be retained in Office for competency,
experience and faithfulness, regardless
of partisan efficiency. This pledge has
been constantly, conspicuously and
recklessly violated.
He gave his solemn pledge that fit
ness and not partisan efficiency would
be the condition of appointment to
office. This pledge has been trampled
upon in a countless number of cases
He declared that 'public office is a
public trust" What meaning has this
declaration in the light of his Admin
istration?
He laid down the rule that Office
holders must not become perniciously
active in politics. Within few months
thereafter he suspended and restored
District-Attorney Benton, of Missouri,
for taking the stump. while District
Attorney Stone, of Pennsylvania. was
suspended and removed for doing pre-
eisely the same thing in far less pro-
nounced way. Benton was n Demo-
crat. Stone Republican The rule,
as thus modified, would seem to apply
to Republicans only.
He said public employees have the
right TO insist that "mcrit and com
potency shall lie recognized instead of
party subServience, or the surrender of
honest political belief" Out of over
30. 600 offices about 43, 900 were filled
with Democrats in the first two years
of the Administration. Thousands of
competent and faithful employees now
know, TO their sorrow, that "mcrit
and competency" are seldom. if ever,
found outside the Democratic party.
He has simply fallen back into The
arms Of his party, than which. before
his election, he was said TO be so much
better
His pledges were magnificent; his
performances disgracoful.
His scheme of civil service was fine;
lis fultillmcnt farce.
lie sets out to lift the Democratic
party; he ends by letting down the
Government.
lie began as q conspicuous re-
former; he is ending as conspicuous
failure.
What are his claims on the suffrage
of the country? Not reform, not good
appointments. not patriotic bipartisan
ship. He has treated the country 10 4
tree-trade message, practically adj
vocating tariff "for revenue only"
without proper regard to the principle
of protection; he has made glad all
England by giving the laurols to Can
ada on the fisheries treaty; he has
lowered the tone of the Indian service
and intcrfered unwarrantably with re-
ligious matters in the mission schools
among the lndians-with which mat
tiers il is simply impertincnt for him to
NEEDLE; he has allowed, and we believe
now allows and firmly intends to al
low, political circulars to issue from
the Government departments in
Washington. Such are his passports
to the confidence of the people. We
do not believe the people now want a
man for President who is not great
deal better than Grover Cleveland. -
NJ J. independent.