New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-06-06
a Scathing Indictment.

From the New York Independent Ind).
1t is now quite evident that the candi
date OF the Democratic party in the com.
ing campaign is to be Grover Cleveland.
We do not say that it is not a fit nomina.
ton to be made by that party We are
inclined to think that the man and the
party are exactly suited to each other
As to the man, he stands at present on
a level with his party. When he was NOM
mated and elected he was hailed as great
political reformer, who would lift his
partyto a high position and give the
country an improved system Of public
service. What has he done to fulfill his
own pledges and the expectations OF his
original Mugwump sponsors?
He gave solemn pledge that the gov
eminent should be conducted on sound
business principles. Men were to be re-
tanned in office for competency, experience
and faithfulness, regardless OF partisan ef-
fciency. This pledge has been constant
ly, conspicuously and recklessly violated.
He gave his solemn pledge that fitness
and not partisan efficiency would be the
condition oil appointments to office. This
pledge has been trampled upon in count
less number OF cases.
He declared that public office is a pub
lie trust" What meaning has this dec
laration in the light of his admis tration?
He laid down the rule that office-holders
must not become perniciously active in
politics. Within a few months thereafter
he suspended and restored District Attor.
ney Benton, OF Missouri, for taking the
stump, while District Attorney Stone, Of
PENNSYLVANIA, was suspended and remoy-
ed for doing precisely the same thing in a
far less pronounced way Benton was a
Democrat, Stone a Republican. The rule
as thus modifed would seem to apply to
Republicans only.
He said public employees have the right
to insist that merit and competency
shall be recognized instead OF party sub
serviency, Or the surrender Of honest po-
litical belief Out OF over Sc, 900 Offices
about 43. 900 were filed with Dem ocrats
in the first two years OF the Administra.
ton. Thousands OF competent and faith
ful employees now know, to their sorrow,
that "merit and competency are seldom.
ii 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.
6 His pledges were magnificent; his per.
formances disgracefu.
His scheme of service was fine; it's full.
fllment a farce.
Hesets out to lift the Democratic party;
be ends by letting down the Government.
He began as conspicuous reformer; he
is ending as a cons Dicuous failure.
What are his claims on the suffrage Of
the country? Not reform not good ap.
pointments, not patriotic unpartisanship.
He has treated the country to a free trade
message practically advocating a tariff
.for revenue only without proper regard
to the principle OF protection; he has
made glad all England by giving the lau-
3rels to Canada on the fisheries treaty; he
has lowered the tone OF the Indian service
and interfered unwarrantably with relig.
ious matters in the mission schools among
the Indians-with which matters it 10 SIM
ply impertinent for him to meddle; he has
allowed, and we believe now allows and
firmly intends to allow, political circulars
to issue from the government departing is
in Washington. Such are his passports to
the confidence OF the people We donot
believe the people now want a man for
president who is not a great deal bette,
than Grover Cleveland.
Still another thing President Cleveland
has practically and dishonorably ca ten his
own utterances given at his inauguration.
What did he mean by these words2 Did
he really and honestly mean what he said?
What Democrat can read his declara tion
and condemn James G. Blaine if he should
finally allow his nane--after twice or
thrice decllning-to be presented to the Ma
tionaTs Republican Convention? What
could he say about these words in a sec
oad letter, if nominated? What viii the
country say about the sincerity OF this ut
terance il his name appears in another
campaign? 1t will say: We DO NOT WANT
a SECOND TERM OF SUCH MAN AS GROVER
CLEVELAND.