New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-17
pUBLIC OFFICkRS AND PARTISAN WORK


The political canvass which Democratic post
masters are making under the direction OF Sena-
tor Kenna. a close friend of President Cleve-
land-is this or is it not proof of Mr.. Clevelands
fidelity to his pledges and professions? There
is no independent voter so prejudiced that he
will not recognize the question as fair one.
The people have right to judge and must
indigo President Cleveland by the conduct OF
his associates and subordinates No other way
is possible: no other would be fair This
would be the very paradise of hypocrisy, If
public man could be held accountable only 1or
his professions and his individual acts, and not
for the things done in his interest and by MS
nearest friends or by those who hold places Oh
influence at his pleasure.
Senator Kenna sends out a circular to
Democratic postnasters requesting them TO
make and return to Democratic headquarters at
Washington list of voters receiving mails
through their post offices, with the politics OF
each voter This is not at all public but merely
partisan work 1t is desired for partisan pur-
pose, the election of President Cleveland to be
his own successor The persons appointed by
President Cleveland are asked to make the
party work complete and effective, and every
he is working for his own retention in Office.
For twenty years and more, every Democrat and
every real friend of Civil Service reform has
held it an intolerable abuse and scandal dis
graceful to our Government that public officials
should in ways far less Objectionable than this,
work for party success with self-interest as their
motive. No Republican President has ever toll
Grated, no Republican leader ever attempted
such a fragrant abuse of official power as this
circular to postmasters involves. Who is re-
sponsible? "The New York Times says OF
this circular
II cannot be generally circulated among the post
masters without being taken to have MIR. Clevelands
approval 1t will, In fact be taken as Issued In the
interest of Mr. Cleveland's reelection Mr. Clcve-
land will be held responsible for 1t, and for other
steps of like character.
That there are other steps of like character
| which have continued for months and have not
been rebuked by the President, his supporters
perfectly well know. The protests OF some Oh
| them, whether prompted by anxiety lest he
should be discredited and defeated, or by SIN
cere desire for the public welfare, have been I'M
needed. Because these "other steps of like
character have been permitted and in some
cases rewarded, close friends of the President
TO count upon his self-intcrest or parti>anShip
again. Who can tell where he will draw the
line. how far he will suffer his professions to be
made ridiculous by conduct in direct violation
of them? Who can guess whether the thing
which the President is anxious to have done,
but in such way that he shall not be compelled
TO know about it, is going to become SO lar no
torious that he will be forced TO dlsavow ana
stop it? There is no way but to try the exper-
iment. If it works. as "other steps of like
character do, without making so much OF STIR
that the President feels compelled to interfere,
well and good the party has been served, and
the private and personal gratitude OF the Pres
ident earned. If circumstances oblige him to
interfere, and to pretend to be very. angry, that
hurts nobody.
The President is told in this case that Mr..
Kennas circular ought to be contaminated
by the Postmaster General Certainly, that is
to be expected of an official who has repeatedly
pushed his partisan zeal so far, in the selection
of party workers to do this very kind of work.
and in appointing them or gushing Republicans
contrary to the Presidents professions that the
President has been obliged TO interfere. Mr.
Villas has been rewarded by more desirable
place in the Cabinet for thus disregarding the
Presidents professions. Mr.. Dickinson does
not need to be told that his personal favor with
the President will not suffer If he follows in
Mr.. Vilass footsteps. The key of the whole
matter is the Presidents private, not his public,
disposition about such use of political trusts and
places. II his mind were really set against it,
not one of the "other steps Of like character
would have been tolerated, not one of the men
who resorted to them would be continued In
public service by Mr.. Clevelands favor