Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-04-20
P1ckw1cKIAN PROFESSIONS.

New York Press.
Even the Mugwumps are at their wits
ends to discover some apology or mitiga-
tion for Clevelands utter disregard OF
the high sounding professions of civil
service reform with which he entered
upon office, and at the same time they
have to admit that there is no real ex-
euse for his conduct "We are con
vinced," says Cleveland's heretofore
devoted organ, the Evening Post, that
the people of the country are out of all
patience with this quadrennial scramble,
and that the President would perform
the most popular act of his life II he
were to rid Washington of it forever,
as he could easily do"
OF course Cleveland could easily rid
Washington of the scramble, but he has
no idea of doing such thing, and he is
probably very much surprised that any
body should have taken his bombastlc
civil service utterances in serious earnest.
Doubtless he meant his civil service re-
form talk to be accepted in a Pickwickian
sense. like his advice to the people to
economic, after attending the magnif-
cent feast given by millionaire specu-
lator.
INVITING ANOTHER LEGAL SCANDAL.
Cleveland Leader.
Mr.. Cleveland's Attorney General,
Richard Olney, is singularly dull to the
proprieties of his position in continuing
his connection with several great rail
roads as if he were not in the employ OF
the government. When he accepted a
place in the Caqinet, Mr.. Olney was
director and the trusted counsel of at
least two large railway corporations, and
it comes as an unwelcome surprise to
the public to learn that after nearly a
month and a half in the important office
he occupies, he still continues to be
director and counsel of both the Boston
Il Maine and the c., B. " .. Railroads
Only last week he went to Boston to at
tend directors meeting of the former
company and gave no hint whatever OF
an intention to resign that lucrative
place.
This puts an unpleasant responsibility
upon Mr.. Cleveland. Does Mr.. Olney
do this with the Presidents knowledge
and consent? Was it understood before
his acceptance that he was to thus vlo-
late the traditions of his office and sci
the vicious example of a public servant
with two, yes three, masters? These are
grave questions. The law department
of his first administration was smlrched
with great dishonor and Mr.. Cleve-
land failed to protest against it. Is
he going to begin this new era oi
reform with carnival of suspicion
such as that which signalized the closing
months of the last?
1t is clear that the President has but
two courses open before him. Either ht
must shoulder the responsibility for the
rank scandal of allowing his Attorney
General to draw salaries and perform
heavy business duties outside his Office
at the expense of the public whom be
has sworn to serve, or he must compe
Mr.. Olney to choose which master ht
will serve. 1t is plain that gentleman
can not serve two masterS-the public
and the corporations. Had he been ALIVE
to the proprieties of the case he woult
have seen this before ever he accepted
office. As it is, Mr.. Cleveland mus
force him to recognize and respect them
or invite scandal. Even then, it remain;
an open question whether a man wht
must be forced to conform to what il
right in such matter is worthy of trust
in the very responsible position of At
torney General of the United States.