Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-01-01
Democratic inconsistency.

Some of the little Democratic bosses
are trying to make political capital out
of what they are pleased to term H S.
HowelPs removal as postmaster A
brief review of the facts in the case will
show that though the l. d. BIS may pos
sess many virtues, consistency is not
one of the number. Mr.. Howell was
appointed May 2, 1885, and assumed
his office the first of June following.
He has therefore served four years and
seven months. When we consider that
the term of postmaster is fixed by law
at four years, and that the Republicans
have now been IN power ten months,
this late day may be considered lucky.
Under President Harrison's interpre-
tatioA of the law, Mr. Howell and thou
sands of Cleveland's appointees have
held over because their commissions
have been permitted to run four years
from the time of their confirmation by
the senate, instead of from the day of
their original appointment made pre-
v1ously when the senate was not in ses-
sion. For this liberal construction of
the law IN their favor and his magma
n1m1ty In permitting Democrats to re-
main in office as he has, President
Harrison is certainly entitled to fairer
treatment than they are giving him.
When Cleveland became president
he had hardly got warm in his chair,
before Gen. Bragg (March III moved
upon the Watertown Office and recon-
mended change of postmasters Mr..
Moak's commission did not expire by
limitation for six weeks, or until April
23. We fail to remember having heard
then from our Democratic friends about
any greatinjustice attempted to be done
an officer whose term had not expired,
nor was there the faintest whisper, to
say nothing of any howl such as they
now set up, because of the onslaught on
the civil service law, which has so sud-
denly become their cherished idol. It
was the Republican OK being gored
then, and with complacency and per-
feet resignation they beheld the conflict
going on between Gen. Bragg on the
one hand and P NJ. Gen. Villas on the
other as to what Democrats should have
Moak's official scalp.
stra' e. such difference should be,
'Twixt tweede dunn and tweedle dee
It's true the expiration of Mr. Moak's
commission found him still in office.
but it was not because a strenuous effort
had not been made to sooner displace
him, which failed only by reason of
their inability to agree upon his sue
cessor. With Villas opposed to Bragg's
candidate SO much time was consumed
in arriving at decision that Mr.. Moak
was not removed, but no one will claim
that the civil service rules cut any figure
in his retention Mr. Howell, however,
will have their full benefit, In accord
ance with the princi lies and practice
of the Republican party. Having been
confirmed by the senate Jan. 13, 1885,
be will not only serve the four years
term embraced in his commission, but
also have the advantage of several
months service before that document
was issued We do not see what more
Democrats can ask or expect, unless it
be that President Harrison shall ap-
point one of their number for another
full term of four years Perhaps this
would satisfy them, but we doubt it.
They are bound to find fault with Re-
publican administration, whatever it
may do, reminding us of the old couplet
You shall ani you shant,
You will and you won't.
You will be damned if you do
And be damned if you don't.