The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-10-26
The Issue After Adjournment.

The adjournment of Congress under
circumstances which leaves no room to
doubt Republican responsibility for the
pcstponement of tax-reform legislation
leaves the field in the Presidential can
vass open to the discussion of the gen
eral issue Of the election. That issue
is whether the Administration OF Pres
ident Cleveland does or does not de-
serve a vote of confidence of the Ameri-
can people and the continuance of its
opportunity 10 enforce the principles OF
economical government and administra-
tive reform.
The attempt of the Republicans to at
tack the executive record made by the
President and heads of departments Is a
most conspicuous failure. No one has
ever attempted it of late, with the ex-
ception of Mr.. Blaine in the speeches
he has made since his field Of discussion
was limited by orders of Republican
Headquarters inhibiting him from
talking about the trusts, retaliation or
British sentiment. HIS accusations of
undue partisanship in administration
are simply ridiculous in view of such
facts as were elected TO the discom-
iture of the Republican committeeman
by the senatorial investigation of Gus
tom House affairs IN this city. The
report of Senator Blackburn on that
proceeding demonstrates the vast i'm
provement in the Federal service result
ing from Democratic control, the
impartial execution of all laws, includ-
ing the Civil Service statutes. and the
equal treatment OF all subordinate
officials ithout regard to party belief.
When President Cleveland came into
office, Democrats in officia! positions
were as rare as white black birds. Now,
after nearly four years of proper exer-
else OF sound political discretion in ap-
poin,ment of the heads of departments
and bureaus, a very large percentage or
subordinate posts are still filled by Re-
publican incumbents. We are among
those who believe that the efficiency of
the Federal service has, in fact, suffered
by the retention of many officials. not
simply because they were Republicans,
but because they had become indoctrin-
ated with, or habituated TO, the loose
and incorrect methods that prevailed
under Republican rule. But that they
are still in place is undenisble, and,
there were no corroborative evidence.
that fact in itself would prove that the
spirit as well as the letter OF the Civil
Service laws has been respected and
enforced by the President and his CHEF
subordinates.
In our international relations the
dignity OF American citizenship, the
rights OF American property and the
advantages OF American industries have
been upheld in a manner so firm. con-
sistent, pure and patriotic as to form a
most striking contrast with the doings
of Republican administrations. While !
Mr.. Blaine was Secretary of State tel |
giversation, tevoritism aud the promo |
tion of jobbeIy discredi.ed the country,
as is illustrated by such conspicuous |
instances as the Jewett case.
With respect to the administration of |
the pension service. every old soldier in |
the country has reason for gratitude in |
the liberal justice done TO veterans TO |
an extent unparalleled since the war,
through the action o. the President in |
approving general and private bills, and |
through The judicious, resolu.e and pa |
trlotic course of General Black in pre- |
venting extortion, throttling the Pen |
sion Ring, and securing ID veterans
their dues from the Government free |
from the eXtravagant deductions they
have heretofore been called upon to pay
to middIemen.
or the success of the Treasury ad-
ministra;ion nothing remains to be
said after the complete ard convincing
exposition of the policy of Manning as
pursued by himself, made in the speech
Of Secretary Fairchild at the merchants
meeting ten days ago.
No one has ventured to question the
mighty service rendered to the people of
the United States in the administration
of the public lands and the restoration
to the people of about one hundred
millions OF acres of which they had
been deprived by fraud by the supine-
ness or cOnnivsnce of previous admins
trations.
The transformation of our naval ad-
ministration from the inefficient, Grim
inal and wasteful policy OF Robeson and
Chandler to the enterprisIng. able.
scientific and progressive methods OF
Whitney is undeniable and undenied.
And so through all branches of the
Federal service a record is presented
respecting which Democrats may ask
with pride and confidence: Can any
one show the slightest reason why the
Administration that accomplished these
things should be punished by dismissal,
and the country once more placed in the
hanos of the party which is responsible
for the crimes and scandals OF carpet
bag rule and the domination Of the
plundering rings that defrauded our
revenues and dissipated the public her
tage ?-N. Y. Star.