New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-18
NOT 4 COOP PRESIDENT
tries

There arc good-natured but not wen-ln-
formed people who say Mr. Cleveiahu mas
been pretty good President after all" lheS
acknowledge his shortcomings as ClNll oer-
vice reformer, but excuse him on the plea that
he could not have been expected to resist inc
pressure of a political party which had been
out Of office for twenty years 1t was new
table. they assert, that Republican oihcehoiderS
should be replaced by Democrats but inc
President took great care to appoint compe-
tent and reputable men, and this was all that
the country had a right to ask.
Unfortunately for the President and his
apologists, the record docs not confirm tho as
sertion that competent and reputable Demo
Gratis were appointed in place of Republicans
The list printed in THE TRIBUNE is not by
any means complete, but it contains the names
of 218 ofliceholders who have been directly
oo,,ootod with tho criminal classes. The
Civil Service has been recruited with mall
thieves, embezzlerS, ballot-boX stuhefS' ue-
frauding local officials, fOrgcrs, rioters WIG
heaters. drunkards, accOmplices OF assasSlnS
and even mrderers. All these facts have
been nroved by TIE TRIBUNE's alphabetical
list of Executive appointments based largely
upon exposures made by Democratic journals
With that Indictment against the Admlnlstra-
tion unanswered. no intelligent and iair-mnd-
ed man is justified in saying that while ne
publicans were turned out in response 10 INC
! memorable demands of a place-hunting De-
mocracy. only good, competent ana reputaoie
mon were allowed to get in. judged by MS
record alone. Mr.. Cleveland has not been a
pood President. If he had been, he would not
have allowed the public service to be degraded
and debauchod as it is to-day
The only reply that is made to such con-
siderations as these is the feeble assertion tha'
tbe President has been man Of good lnteh-
tions. No doubt he has had good intentions
lie has meant well In his letter OF acceptance
he took the strongest possible ground aSails
n second term, and probably intended to de'
cline a denomination, but he has not been a'
GOOD rs his word. After his election ne mad'
Mr.. Curtis a Christmas present Of a covenant
70 embodv in his Administration the principles
Of Civil Service reform. His Intentions then
were undoubtedly excellent, but alas the
pledges have not been kept. There have beer
svmpathetic expressions Of interest IN ClVi
service reform in the Presidents messages anC
speechcs; but his actual performance has beer
an indiscriminate expulsion Of Republican
from Office on the ground that they were par
tsans and the recruiting of every branch 0
tbe Civil Service with Democratic partiSanS
So, too, he may have intended to put ON.
reputable and intelligent men IN ollce; bu
somehow the rascals have got in everywhere
appointments have been made in every branc
Of the public service without regard for ca
pacity, fitness or reputation; and the ADMIN
jstration stands before the country To-Day with
out defence against It's own record.
1t is not enough to say that the PreSlden
has meant well. lie has not done well. fou
years ago men might have been JuSthcd !
voting for him on the strength Of his virtuou
; intentions. His performance since March
1885. is now the only practical standard D
which the President is to be measured Is
that test he is found to fall far below the herol
proportions of a good President.