Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-05-03
A SCATHING INDICTMENT.
fCleveland's Administration Reviewed
and Condemned by an Impartial


New York Independent Ind.ll
1t is now quite evident that the
candidate of the Democratic party in
the coming campaign is to be Grover
Cleveland. We do not say that 1t is
not fit nomination to be made by
that party. We are inclined to think
the man and the party are exactly
suited to each other.
AS to the man, he stands at present.
on level with his party. When he
was nominated aud elected he was
hailed as a great political reformer,
who would lift his party to high pc.
si'ion and give the country an i'm
proved system of public service
What has he done to fulfill his own
pledges and the expectations Of his
original mugwump sponsors
He gave IA solemn pledge that the
government should be conducted on
sound business principles. Men were
to be retained in office for compe-
tency, experience and faithfulness,
regardless of partisan efficiency.
This pledge has been constantly, con
spicuous y and recklessly violated.
He gave his solemn pledge that
fitness and not partisan efficiency
would be the condition Of appoint
ments to Office. This pledge ha, been
trampcd upon in countless number
OF cases.
He declared that "public office is a
public trust What meaning has
this declaration in The light of his
administration
He laid down the rule that office
holders must not become pernicious.
~ active in politics. Within a few
months thereafter he suspended and
restored District Attorney Benton, of
Missouri, for taking the stump, wA;le
District Attorney Stone, of pennsyl,
vania, was suspended and removed
for doing precisely the same thing in
IA FAR less pronounced way. Benton
was Democrat, Stone Republican.
The rule as thus modified would seem
20 apply to Republicans only.
He said public employees have the
right to insist that "merlt and com
potency shall be recognized Instead
u! party subserviency, or the sufren
q r OF honest political belief" Ou,
OF over $4,000 offices abou, 5000
were filed with Democrats in the first
two years Of the administration.
Thousands of competent and faithful
employees now know, to their sorrow.
that INERT and competency" are
seldom, If ever, found outside the
- mocratlc party. He has sinp!y
fallen back into the arms Of his nnrty.
than which, before bis election. he
was said to be so much better
Has pledge was magnificent, his
performances di>gracefu.
his scheme of civil service was
fina; its ful!illment farce.
He sets out to lift the Democratic
party; he ends by letting down the
government.
re began as conspicuous reform
or; he is ending as conspicuous
failure.
What are his claims to tie suffrage
OF the country? Not reform, no,
good appointments, not patriotic un.
pariisanship. He has treated the
country to Z FREQ trade MESSAGE.
practically advocating ta,itr FOR
revenue only without proper regard
to the principle Of protection; he has
made glad all England by giving tie
laurels to Canada on the fisheries
treaty; he has lower, d the tone Of the
Indian service and interfered unwar.
rantab!y with religious matters in Tho.
mission schools among the Indians
with which matters it Is simply i'm
pertinent for HIM to NEEDLE; he has
allowed, and we believe now allows
and firmly intends to allow, 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 man for PresiLeu,
who Is not great deal better than
Gtover Cleveland.
SIN another thing, Presi,,en, Cleve
land has practically and dishonorabl,
eaten his own u,terances given a, his
Inauguration. What die he mean by
these words ? Did he really and
honestly mean What he said? What
Democrat can read his declarations
ana then condemn James G.. Blaine
II he should finally allow his name
after twice or thrice drclining-,o be-
presented to the National Republican
Convention? " hat could he saw
about those words in second letter.
II nominated? What will the country
say "hon. the sincerity of this utter |
eH'e ii his name appears in another
campaign: II viii! say: We 90 no.
want Il second term IF such 2 man .
As Grover Cleveland.