Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-11

AS the most intelligent exponent OF the views
ana purposes or the mugwump contingent. Bo,.
PeTs Weekly probably answers the unsnoken
questions OF large constituency when IL advises
TWO nquiring correspondents what their duty ,s
ID the present campaign. 1t admits that tne siru-
aeon Is complex, and that q patriots conduct
must De governed by the consideration whether
ne takes general or q specific view of It. n he
an independent simply because he isa CIVIL
service rerormer it Is frankly admitted that there
~ue room TOR choice between candidates Mr.
Ceveiands failure to perform much that was ex.
pecteo on MIN In this field must be balanced
asnnstt the question whether, all things considered
sue piospects OF the reform are not quite as
na'tenng under his administration for a second
'e,nn as under the administration of an untried
cnief magistrate; and, indeed the equation might
oe narrowed down to a comparison OF what he has
iaheo 70 90 In meeting the expectations OF his
sanSuine friends, with what he has unquestion-
ANY accomplished In defiance OF the sneers Of his
enemies and OF the distractions placed In his path
W members OF his own political household
but, viewed In It's general aspects, the situation
presents 70 the Independent voter a choice be-
tween tarin reduction, and nigh protection, on
winch dorper's Weekly regards the duty OF the
riormer as plainly marked. The tariff issue 1t
considers paramount 10 any and all others; and,
therefore, the Independent who might otherwise
nno IL In bis heart TO vote for Har-
iASon, occause This would be the best means
OF reouking Cleveland for his unfaithfulness
70 the strict principles of civil service reform,
could consistently vote for Cleveland because on
the whole, his reelection would be q triumph for
the general policy OF the Independents who con-
tnouted 30 substantial a share TO the conditions
which made his urst election possible.
This guarded and somewhat elaborate statement
OF the position OF the reformers coupled with the
admission Of the complexity OF the situation, Is
emphasized In its effect by the tactics OF the mug
wumps throughout the country In the active work
In the campaign Massachusetts, Is practically the
only state In which they are taking a hearty part
In the political activities OF the season, and
there the live interest seems to be con-
lined almost wholly to those who have &C
cepted public honors at the hands of the
democratic party, and who either admit them
selves or are claimed by their associates to have
become actual members OF that organization
Everywhere else the mugwump host acts on the
defensive simply. Their enthusiasm, which was
80 conspicuous four years ago has been dlssipated
oy closer acquaintance with It's object Their az
gre>sive pugnacity has changed to philosophic
calm Their energies, instead OF being spent in
oratorcal tours in open letters, In the establish
ment Of clubs and In the dissemination OF free
literature among the masses, are now devoted to
answering objections. actual and hypothetical
propounded oy men who want TO know how they
can reconcile an unfulnlled pledge with an appeal
for longer trusteeshiD.