The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-15
NOTHING TO HIDE.
The Epitaph Which May be Truth
fully Applied to the Administra-
tion Of Cleveland.
An Interview With the President Show.
ing How He Regards the Party's
Future Prospects.
still Firm In Hi. nelief Ia the Ultimate
Triumph OF Tarim Reform-rhs
civil Service Question.


row will publish a long dispatch from
Washington giving an eulogistic review OF
President Cleveland's administration and
q long interview with the president him
self on the incidents and experiences OF the
past four years. The Sun declares the key
note Of Mr.. Cleveland's policy from the be-
ginning has been TO give the people a
practical, business like administration. ir-
respective OF personal considerations.
"rhere is probably no American In public
life" says the writer, "who has deeper
more genuine sympathy with the people,
and there never has been president more
accessible, OF one who surrendered so much
Of his time 10 crafty the natural curiosity
and interest OF the people than has Mr..
Cleveland. In conversation with the writer
the president remarked that hls afternoon
receptions were the pleasantest incidents
Of his official life. The close OF his admin.
istration finds him as busy, and perhaps
even buster, than when he was In
Office. Much OF his time Is con.
sumed unnecessarily by the want
OF consideration displayed by con
gressmen In introducing persons
who merely call 10 pay their respects.
The afternoon receptions were set aside for
this class OF visitors, but the majority OF
rule. Notwithstanding his patience under
these exactions, and the fact that almost
his entire time during the day has been
given up 10 the public the president has
been criticised for being exclusive, and
complaints have been made that he would
not give the representative men OF his
party the opportunity OF consulting freely
with him. II Is known 10 his friends that
the president feels acutely this charge. lie
all along has been animated by n high and
serious sense OF his duty 10 the people, and
this has often prompted him TO n course OF
action In opposition 10 the wish OF opinion
Of his personal friends.
ut may be stated that the president is
thoroughly satisfied with the practical out
come OF his administration and Its effect on
the fortunes OF the democratic party. lie
ls very earnest In predicting great future
for the democracy and in asserting unqual
flied devotion 10 the party. 1T Is a grand
party, said he, and was never In better
shape than at present. When we consider
the condition II was la before the tariff
issue was formulated, the want of unanin.
ity, the Wide divergence OF views on many
points, aud the united support IL gave me
during the campaign, who can doubt that
its status has been improved and that II
has q glorious future before itY The
president Is as firm now as he ever was In
the opinion that tariff reform Is great
IL as an issue In harmony with the spirit
and traditions OF the party, and one inyoly-
ing great benefits 10 the people. lie believes
sooner or later the toiling masses will be-
thoroughly aroused 10 M indignant per-
ception OF the burdens unjustly imposed
upon them by the tariff laws and OF the
being recklessly used for the benefit OF a
favored few. He does not tolerate the idea
IN at the democracy was beaten on the tar
IN issue last fall. Had certain conditions
been eliminated from the campaign, he
says I'VE would have won a decisive VIC
tory
he has no regrets at laying down his trust.
He thinks the defeat OF the democracy is 30
be deplored because Of the Injury resulting
to public interests, but personally he exper-
iences profound sense 0f relief at the
prospect of a speedy release from the or
deal TO which he has been exposed during
the past four years. One Of the most try
that In the discharge OF his official
duties he has been called upon frequently
TO offend persons whose friendship and
good opinion he valued. lnsenslbility,
with which he has 80 often been accused,
In trait Of character which he has no ex-
cuse for. He has had 10 fight for the right
at almost every step of his official progress
wear and tear OF the contest IL Is an open
secret that he accepted the democratic
nomination last summer with genuine re-
luctance. and after earnest Efforts 10 es.
cape 1t. His supposed political aspirations
for the future do not exist There is no RI
yalry on his part between himself and any
body else. Il am In no ones way he says.
| Il shall be delighted 20 be relieved of the
cares OF the presidency on the 4th of March
next. On purely personal grounds there
will be no happier man In the United
States
With reference 10 the civil service sys.
TEN, he is as firm and decided AS In his
| views on the tariff question. lie believes
civil sery ice reform has come 10
stay. He has treated IL solely as a
practical question, and has been
much hampered and embarrassed by
the vagares Of sentimental reformers and
theorists who have been continually urg-
ing him TO this or that for mere sensai lonal
| effect which he did not regard as iudicious
He has endeAv0red 10 give the civil service
scheme a fair trial, and expresses himself
| fully satisfied wish the results The worst
type OF bureaucracy was developed under
| the spOils SYSTEM Of former administra.
tions. When Mr.. Cleveland came into Of
fce he found the departments filled with
incompeteDts who had found permanent
| lodgmeDt there through fayorltism. His
doubt is whether sufficient clearing ont has
been done 10 subserye The best lnterests on
| the government and TO give A wide scope
| for civil service reform through its meth
ods In filling the places OF inef-
fcient with capable men. The president
recognizes the whole feeling OF the great
mass OF democratic Office seekers, who ex-
pected place and recognition aud the dis
appointments and Irritation which resulted
| from his inability 10 satisfy them. II Is a
matter OF deep regret tO him that he could
not do so, but he had higher public duty
10 perform-the publication and elevation
| Of the public service, the elimination from
party politics, as far as possible. of The de-
grading use OF patronage. lie is very
earnest in his advocacy Of the civil service