The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-09
CIvIL.sERvICE REFORM.
The Reformers of Maryland Tired OF Cleve-
lands Brokan Promiaaa.

The Reformers of Maryland Tired OF Clsve-
lands Broken Promises.
To the Editor of the Civ-Service Reformer, Balti-
more:
Sir-Ths sincere advocates Of civil-service re-
form have now an opportunity to mark their
seEse of the controlling importance OF that Issue
in the politics of the country. This must and
can only be done by vote against President
Cleveland.
So those who wish now to show their general
approval or disapprovsl Of his administration, OF
tariff changes, of so-called pension abuses. Of
other questions, ! have nothing to ray. Bat
among your readers are many who will not post
pone shift the issue. but are enlisted political
ly to fight for civil-service reform alone TO
their featy to the cause 70 their practical po-
litical sense and to their outraged feelings ap.
peal For them this question cannot be delayed
or evaded, and the Presidents betrayal OF them
should be followed by his political overthrow by
them and by reason of such betrayal To fol-
low any other course will be political crime
Mr. Cleveland was elected, and could only
have been elected, as a civil-service reformer.
But for his pledges and the endorsements OF
them by the leaders Of cause. his nomins-
ton aud election would not have been effected.
His pledges were unsought. but they were full
and vigorous. Marylanders aud lndsanians,
and, in fact, the whole country. know that
these pledges have not been kept. He has
dealt the heaviest blows against as. We have
been wounded in the mouse Of our friends, +"
We have been discredited in every sense. Mr.
Cleveland has made the practical working OF re-
form a subject of ridicule and enesr. Perhaps
he has done no worse than Grant, Hayes or
Garfield, but he has failed as they failed, by
yielding TO the pressure OF tho spoiismen-
They, again, were under no such pledges as he
freely made; they had not placed themselves
before the country as reformers and bad not
identified themselves with US. They did not
say public Office is public trust and then fol-
In vrif nrasaaf
Indian Bureau.
Parties, advocates Of great causes may make
terms with an enemy. but il they support and
applaud deserters their cause 10 gone.
As one who left the Republican party to sup
port Cleveland mainly on the issue of civil-serv-
ice reform. feel in the light Of to-day that
made profound mistake. True, tho debauch-
ment of the public service by the Republican
Presidents was long continued and often shame
less. We were in the fight against their prac-
tices. and were making gains in our struggle
But during this administration the reform has
gone back. and the debauchment OF the public
service has been nearly as complete. But worse
than all is the discredit OF our cause, and the
pal.ering in some quarters with the insidious
arts of the spoilsmen about the President
The violations Of the spirit OF the reform have
been covered up by professions. not hypocritical
ss believe. but lacking in some way in true re-
lations to subsequent actions The Presidents
words have long lost touch with his deeds, till
now. as is better. both he and the st. Louis
platform are dumb on questions of administra-
ton. He long dissembled his love, but now he
has kicked US down stairs.
1t 10 not necessary TO 60 over the story Of his
gradual surrender to the spoilsmen. and the ad-
ministrative crimes and outragss in this and
other States. You and your readers know
them by heart The facts are undoubted. What
IL our duty2
As for me, the course of x and Y newspapers
Ito name only impersonals) that have been SO
long advocates of our cause fills mo with polit-
ical despair. Shall we strike out at A. B and
G, the small-fry politicians of Maryland, and
sustain the man who made and supports themf
appeal now not to justly indignant and out
ragged feelings, but to calm political sense. Can
any cause prosper whose advocates falter in
such easel Must We not strike at the evil now
at handl Should we not drive from power those
who are now debauching the civil service, and,
having done this duty. take up again with good
heart the fight for good government
My appeal, then, is, be We few or many. let
US not condone Mr. Clevelands lack OF fealty,
but strike as vigorously at deserving friends as
at open enemies. Nothing has SO injured the
cause ss our speaking of Mr. Cleveland with
bated breath. Nothing can so restore the credit
and vigor of the cause as to take up the fight
against him on this ISSUE and this issue alone.
At most We in Maryland can be no worse of
under Harrison than under Cleveland; so. &c
borrow phrase from Tame. let US not stand
marking time, but march. AN INDEPENDENT.