The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-26

ton. The law in this respect has been
changed, however. so that hereafter the
First Assistant Postmaster general viii not
be burdened with all the responsibility OF
these gifts. More serious than this. now
ever, TO the Democratic mind. - the clamor
which the have started TO have
all the postofices placed in the classiaed
service. which would remove. them
from the rank of political pot
ronsge to be dispensed at Will.
This 10 the latest demand OF the mug-
wumps- It follows a less extreme sugges-
ton made by intelligent ana sincere OWL
service reformers that the rules OF the
classified service be extended so as 10 In
clude all letter-carriers and clerks en-
ployed in presidential postoffices. These
persons number over twenty thousand.
While there 10 no rule TO that enect the
practice already obtains In some or the
larger cities, notably IN Philadelphla, OF
retaining In the principal postoffices OF the
country employees of skill and experience
regardless of politics. These twenty thou
sand presidential postofiice employees,
added to the fonrth-class possmasters
positions Which Presiden a'' Harrison
Is now asked to remove by q
simple executive edict from the realm
of political patronage. Aseach one ofthese
places is probably sought by from three
Co five applicants. who believe in the Jack
sonian theory that the victor should
possess the spoils. it may be seen that q
most widespread interest attaches to this
awful suggestion. President Harrison Is
known that he does not wish TO subject
himself to the criticism of embarrassing
the incoming administration In any way.
An ILLUSTRATION of this is found IN the re-
ply that President Harrison made. this
week. to O prominent Republican member
of Congress from Ohio. who called at the
White House to secure the appointment of
o list of Republicans al inspectors OF
bridges over the Ohio river. The President
said that. IL he were TO appoint these men
some time under the incoming administra-
ton, and that he had nc desire to hamper
his successor with the unnecessary dietrI-
button of petty patronage.
1t 10 held truly by the Democrats OF the
West and Northwest that the Democracy
Of the East and South will meet with some
very bitter disappointments. There are
applicants by the score from the South ana
East for all the large diplomatic plums.
and all the Washington Offices whose saia-
ries are written in four figures, bnt 1t Is
pointed out. and not without much justice,
that the conditions which will confront
Mr.. Cleveland on March 4 of 1893:
are vastly different Tns from those eight am
Democracy of the West and North
west which has never yet had an
opportunity TO fatten on the spoils
of office. and though they had not
ciamored near as loudly a. their brethren
here in Washington, their cry will yet ring
from the Rockies to the ~Alleghenies. 1t is
q cry that must be recognized, and ono
that MIR. Cleveland will lind less difficulty
in recognizing. from the fact that he did
not need the electoral vote OF Now York TO
be elected President, and from the addi-
tional fact that tho most of the leaders
who have controlled the Democratic or
ganization in the East and South opposed
Mr.. Cleveland's nomination, while his most
ardent support came from the West and
Northwest Moreover, these Estates have
only just been dragged into an allegiance to
the Democracy which may prove temporary
unless rewarded, while the South Is still
counted as solid" whatever may happen.