New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-29
BETTER GET 1T ~ WRITTNG.

If Mr.. Cleveland has promised TO turn over
the Federal patronage in the event of his cleo
ton TO the State, Tammany and Brooklyn ma
chimes We have no doubt he will do it, even
though the promise is only verbal one and
rather loosely wordcd, as it would naturally be
under the circumstances. having been made at
a dinner party where everybody was feeling
good and no one was disposed TO be cxacting
as TO terms or critical as to language If Mr.
Cleveland agreed as it is now understood he
did. with Messrs Murphy, Shcehan and Croker
even in the most general and inconclusive way
that the machine in this State should have
control of the Federal patronage, we believe
he will carry out the contract as religlousy and
faithfully as if it were in writing with signature
and seal and notaral attcstatOn And yet VIC
can very well understand that great many
patriotic Democrats, who arc sincerely anxious
10 reform the Civil Service by getting place
in the postoflicc or Custom House or some
where else on the payrolls where they can de
vote themselves to il, would prefer to have
the arrangement with Mr.. Cleveland put in
writing and. as it were, cllnchcd. Not that
they doubt him in the lcast-why no. OF course
not-but, it being n pure matter OF business
they naturally desire to apply business methods
TO it. and have something definite and tangible
to depend upon in case any question should
arise about it hereafter.
Then again, notwithstanding the fact that
Mr. Cleveland came here all the way from Buz-
Yards BAY to give dinner to Messrs. Murphy,
Shcchan. Croker and the other distinguished
local Democrats, whom he has always turned
1 81. t, 10, hn docidnI M and
achieved great cminence thereby and notwith-
standing the further fact that the purpose Of
this dinner was known to everybody, even if
the circumstances had not made it manifest {;
and Notwithstanding the still further fact that
"The Ncw-Yorz Sun" stated broadly after the
dinner that perfect understanding had been
reached and n positive agreement concluded
whereby the Federal patronage was to be turned
over to the State Tanmany and Brooklyn ma
chimes in case Of Mr. Clevelands election-not-
withstanding all this, there were men OF promi-
hence in the party, such men, say. as Mr..
William X. Grace, who insisted that no ar
Iangcment had been concluded, and that il
Mr. Cleveland should be elected, he would do
precisely what he did in the carly part of his
former Administration-to wit, turn bis large
back on Murphy, Sheehan, Croker, Tammany
Hall and Mclaughlin and all that sort of
people. and wreak all his good nature and all
the Federal patronage on the Mngwumps, Anti
SnappcIs and best thinkers. This sort OF thing
was calculated to impair confidence. For it Is
not every body that has the sanguine tcmpcra-
mcnt Of Mr. "Nicli' Eberhardt, who lately told
Federal office holder that at precisely five
minutes after II meridian on the 4th Of March.
1898, he would have his job. There has been,
and still is. lingering doubt in the minds of
many ardent Civl-Service reformers Of the
Tammany persuasion as to whether Mr.. Cleve-
land would begin reforming the Civil Service
in accordance with his verbal arrangement with