New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-10
NOT GENUINE INDEPENDENCE.


The mon In American politics who arrogatc
to themselves the name independents are
busy lust now helping to secure the re-nomlna-
ton Of President Cleveland. They are DONG
so in the face Of two facts which might wei
compel bona fide Independents" to drop him.
The first of these facts is that the PRESIDENT
ON their own admission, has betrayed the cause
which they pretend to have most at heart-thc
reform of the Civil Service. They own that
he has made shipwreck of the promises which
he made four years ago, that his retention OF
Garland is indefensible, that he has permitted
his truly good order to Federal oficeholders to
be constantly violated, that he has winked at
the circulation Of circulars by his aprointees
designed to turn the post-of Offices OF the country
into machines for grinding out Cleveland dele
gates, that, in short, as Mr.. Curtis lately ac-
knowledged in "Harper's Weekly" he has
welded to the pressure" Of the spoils-seeking
Democratic party.
Tho other fact that might well have similar
deterrent influence upon these Independents
is Mr.. Cleveland's thrifty surrender OF his con-
yiction touching the eligibility OF the Presi-
dent for reelection. In as important puoiic
document as his letter accepting the Presi-
Dental nomination, Mr.. Cleveland, in formu-
latipg his confession of political faith, EN-
nbatically declared it was against the interests
Of the country that President should be
e,icible for second term. Nevertheless. now
that an opportunity is afforded him OF en-
forcing precept by example, he coolly proceeds
TO sacrifice his conviction of public duty on the
altar of private ambition. He himself being
witness. he cannot run again this fall without
jeopardy to the common veal. Why, there
fore. does he intend to run? Obviously because
when it comes to choosing between the public
veal and the Cleveland veal he is unanimously
for Cleveland.
"Yesn say the Independents, "bnt then
we've got to vote for somebody. Politics Is
tho choice of evils, you know Cleveland may
not quite suit us, but he comes nearer sulting
us than any Republican would come. Accord
ingly we've made up our minds, in spite oil his
fragrant abuse of our confidence, to go in for
Cleveland again. About to that effect the
Independents are expressing themselves these
DAYS when asked to explain their attitude
toward tho President. Well, it is an apology
which, if made by party man, would subject
him to the stern condemnation of these same
gentlemen. They steadily exhort their coun-
trymen not to be afraid of being found in
minority. not to be afraid of voting in the air.
Why then, since they hold that Civil Service
Reform is the cardinal need Of the times. and
since they regard Mr.. Cleveland as its betrayer'
do they not name man around whom they can
sincerely and consistently rally for the Presi-
dency Party men may hold that the essence
of politics is compromise. Do independents"
also take that ground? One thing is evident,
the Independents" like other folks, find that
it makes difference whose OK it is that is
cored. With badly-gored Cleveland on
their hands they are not talking as loftily as
~ av xyara in 1894