The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-21
A soArH1sG INDICTMENT.
Cleveland's Administrator Reviewed Mr
Condemned by am Impartial Critic.

CIeveIand,s Administrator Reviewed and
Condemned BY Impartial Critic.
New York Independent fTnd.1
1t is now quite evident that the candidate OF
tie Democrats party in the coming campaign is
to be Grover Cleveland. We do not say that it
NOT q fit nomination to be made by that party.
We are incln cd to think that 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 nominated and
elected he was hailed as a great political reform
ar. who would lift his party to high position
and give the country improved system OF
public service. What has he done to fulfill his
pledges and the expectations of his m ug
wump sponsors8
He gave a solemn pledge that the government
should be conducted on sound business princi-
pies. Men were to be retained in Office for COM
potency, experience and faithfulness, regardless
of partisan efficiency. This pledge has been
constantly, conspicuousy and recklessly vio-
lated.
He gave his solemn pledge that 6tness and
not partisan efficiency would be the condition OF
appointments to Office. This pledge has been
trampled upon IN n countless number OF cases
He declared that public Office is public
trust" WHAT meaning has this declaration in
the light of his administration
He laid down the rule that ofhce-holders must
not become pernciousy active in politics
Within few months thereafter he suspended
and restored District Attorney Benton. of Mis-
souri,, for taking the stump. while District At
torney Stone, or Pennsylvania, was suspended
and removed for doing precisely the same thing
in far less pronounced way Benton WAS a
Democrat, Stone . Republican. The rule
thus modified would seem TO apply to Republic
only.
He said public employees had the right to
insist that INERT and competency shall be
recognized instead of party subserviency. or the
surrender of honest political belief Out of
ffty-six thousand Offices about forty three
thousand were filled with Democrats in the first
two years of the administration. Thousands Of
competent and faithful employees now know. to
their sorrow, that merit and competency are
seldom, If ever, found outside of the DeAocratic
party. He has simply fallen back into the arms
of his party. than which, befors his election, he
was said to be so much better
His pledges were magnificent; his perform
ances disgraceful.
His scheme of civil service was fine it's fulfill
He sets ont to lift the Democratic party; he
ends by letting down the government
He began conspicuous reformer; he is
ending q conspicuous failure.
What are his claims on the suffrage of the
country Not reform not good appointments,
not patriotic unpartsanship. He has treated
the country to free-trade message, prac tcally
advocating tariff for revenue only" without
proper regard TO the principle of protection; be
has made glad all England by giving the lanrels
to Canada the fisheries treaty: he has low
cred the tone of the Indian service and inter
ferred IN warrantably with religious matters in
the mission schools among the lndiaps-wifh
which matters it is simply irlpertinent for him
to meddle; he has allowed, and we believe now
allows. ana firmly intends to allow, political cir
culars to iseue from the governments depart
ments at Washington. Such are his passports
to the confidence of the people. We do not
believe the people now wanna man for Presi-
dent who is not great deal better than Grover
Cleveland.
Still another thing. President Cleveland has
practically and dishoncrably eaten his own
utterances given at his inauguEatiou. What
did he mean by these words7 Did he really and
honestly mean what he said? What Democrat
read his declarations and then condemn
James g. Blaine il he should finally allow his
uame-after twice thrice declining-ko be pre-
sented TO the national Republican convcntionl
What could he say bout these words in q second
letter, il nominated What viii the coNntry
say about the sincerity of this utterance if his
name appears in anothep campaign? 1t will say:
We do not want second term of such a man
as Grover Cleveland.