The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-03-02
THEN AND NOW.
A Striking Difference Between Demo-
cratic and Republican Rule.

THEN AND NOW.
a Striking Difference Between Demo-
cratic and Republican Rule.
Editorial Correspondence
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 80, 1SS1.-A
few years ago l spent week in Washing
ton when the Republicans were in power.
| had some business with one of the de-
partments had friends who had bust
ness with leading officials. l, therefore,
had an opportunity TO note the conduct of
some of the high officials-the great muck
;mucks Of Republican administration.
Besides what / saw, | heard many state
ments of the insolence of department Off
cials towards those who had business with
the departments. To Southern men it was
rare that common courtesy was shown.
So far had this official insolence gone by
these Republicans, who felt that they
owned the government in fee simple, that
il was a matter Of every day comment and
complaint. The Senators and Representa-
tives-especially Democrats, and more es-
pecially Southern Democrat who were
made, by the Indifferent official, Ito cool
their heels in his ante-chamber and drink
to the last dregs the cup of his lnsolence, )"
were open in their complaint of such treat
ment The Republicans had held the Off
ces for twenty years, without "a look at
the books" by Democratic eyes, and they
thought it impertinence for Democrats to
demand or expect even common courtesy.
The election of Mr. Cleveland was, in
large measure, secured because Of the in
science of Federal officials in Washington
or elsew here. The people arose in their
might and drove these impolite officials,
many of whom were corrupt, from power,
and said, by their votes, 1--WE want no
officers except such as will remember they
are servants of the people, and not their
masters" Mr.. Cleveland, in the main,
has been wise in his appointments to the
heads of departments. He has generally
appointed men who were Democrats IN
LIFE, as well as in PROFEssION-men who
looked upon Senators and Representatives
and upon private citizens as their equals,
and as having some rights they were bound
to respect 1t is true that some men have
been placed in high positions whose heads
were thereby turned, and who walk with
their heads above the clouds, and who
affect to think themselves better than their
fellows This is the exception-not the
rule, as it was under the Republican ad-
ministrations.
l have observed that if a man has any
business here and will proceed, in an
intelligent and business like way, about
transacting it, he is treated with consider
ton and courtesy. This is true, and this
fact is apparent: That, whereas under
Republican rule, Southern men were al
ways showed aside for Northerner, no
man is known by his section, and wise
Southern man is shown as much kindness
as a wise Northern man. This is but one
of other evidences that we have National
Administration-an administration con-
Quoted for the North, South, East and
West alike. And this is THE controlling
to fail to give his allegiance to the present
administration-the first National one III
twenty five years.
There are here, in the several depart
Inents and holding other public positions,
over one hundred North Carolinians 1--WE
ought to have 500 places. Three -fourths
OF them have secured their positions since
the change Of administration. They are
gentlemen of character and respectablllty
and many of them are representative men
Of high standing and influence IN the Sec
tlons from which they come. The time
was when positions that belonged to North
Carolina were filled by aliens, and when 1t
was a difficult matter to find men IN pubic
places in Washington from North Carolina
who could have been elected to any posi-
ton at home. | do not endorse all the
appointments of the present admlnistra
ion, but, in the main, those appointed
have been first class men. This will be
seen when / recall the names OF the fol
lowing North Carolinians who hold posi-
tions here: Hon K. B. Vance, Of Ashe
vile; Edmund Jones, of Lenolr; u. d.
Graves, of Hendersonville; K. ID. Graham
OF Charlotte; Geo. McCorkle, OF New
ton, J. NJ. Leach, Jr., Of Lexington
j B. Hussey, of Greensboro; Il. G. Os