New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-08
OPINIONS ONTHE INAUGURAL
DEMOCRATS FIGHT SHY OF THE CIVIL
SERVICE REFERENCES
THEY MOSTLY THINK THAT THE offi0'"
OUGHT TO co TO TIE PARTY-RETIcENT
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washnr;on March IA good many prominent
Democratic Representatives. Ike Speaker Crisp Mr.
Savers Of Texas. and others. said toby That 'hey
had been too busy since saturday to read PreS'oe".
Cicveland's inaugural address. some VINO haa r'a"
II were too shy 10 express any opinion In regard 10
It, and most of the remainder. as rule, were III
cllned TO be exceedingly cautious In their comments
The passages In the address which seemed esPcciaiiy
TO Intcre. them were those relating TO civil service
reform an! the currency II there Is satesma"
among them who does not 1T heart subscribe 10 I'M
doctrine that "to the victors belong IN" Spo"' "
is not eager proclaim the fact In 'he Pres'"'' '"
the army Of spoils hunters which has u'Ne" p"'
session Of the National Capital. Between the fams"ea
and thirsty thousands the one hand anu "i w"
SYMPATHETIC President the other hama 'ne m'c
n, tho Democratic Congressman these days II 'ne
revcrse Of n happy one. but II must be s''u ior ann
that no fries TO bc amiale and offend hobody-'e"S'
OF all the chief dispenser OF patronage
Tim. Congrrssman-clcc tiolizier OF Chicago thinks
that thc President should appoint only Democra'S ~
omce but adds: 1.-THE sincere Democrat Is rs goou
4 Democrat as any. 1t matters not now recon- '''
conversion. 1t ought TO be remembered 'h"' 'n'''
T., something higher In politics than s'rhggr W.
,reen the ms and 'ouls. a man shonin pc
Democrat from principle rather than from 'he n'P'
of reward" ,,,
Mr. Kilrore OF Texas. who Is m original C'eveinha
man, said: Did you say that the 'N''
law was 10 be largely extended! object. 81" '"o
s,o,ut, was when the Democrats met In chicago '".
tndor.ed IT, so let II remain. am WILING 10 s'a""
he tho no,iy,s expressions | am not wiliihS 10 so
any farther II there Is a National failure IN ''e
next four years. n monetary crash n hha"o"' p'.''
a mlshandlng Of any foreign COMP ea''onS' '.i,"
I'm any one Of the various departments I''iio
in any direction. Will be blamed Tor w. ih'''
fore / think that Democrats should have control
have. ~
have the credit: also the positions ana the ei'iies'
I do not know that there j. anything In MI. 'leNe'
lands record upon which TO bas, the suppoHioh
that he will not be rs true and a. generous ~ '"'
party as the party has been TO him.
Congressman Dunphy thinks that merit ana De-
mocrncy must 60 hand In hand aS q'iahh' nu'hs
for Office lie also things that Democrats shouia
have the Offices and believes that they VIII get
them.
Representative Geissenhaincr. 'of N,wJcrcy. eS-
pressed this opinion: 81 should hate TO see any
out idcrs preferred In the distribution OF The o'hcP"'
because believe there enough good and COMPETENT
men In my party to fill all the places. AZ TIE
same tmc no VIGOROUSLY corrupt or incompetent
man ought 10 get an appointment simply because
he Is partisan
Representative Culberson. OF Texas. said: tito
intent and scope OF the Civil Service law very plain
1t requires the demonstration OF certain amount ~
knowledge or education. II originally devised to
secure better coruiuct OF the affairs OF government
far the common workmcn have Il share Ia H.
think that 1t has done good work. Its provisions
should be- rigdly enforced in the distribution Of
Offices which do not come strictly within the pro
visions Of the law. Democrats should receive prefer
ence. Tie party has won: II will lie held respon-ib
for the proper conduct OF the Government aud "
should be allowed control. The field is wide enough
The more important Offices within the gft Of the
Executive. believe that In their distribution he will
favor the party which honorcd him, Just ns he las
done In TIE past"
Representative Caruh. OF Kentucky. frankly con-
fcses that his belief ia ,he doctrine that 10 the VIC
belong the spOls7 Is mistaken b. tie Inaugural
address.
Judge Holman. OF Indiana. cordially approves
President Clcvcland's views. lie said There Will
be an enlargement. imagine. Of The Cleveland idea
that public Office Is public trust from 'js"r
walton the great OF people. who have little IN.
,erest In politics do sympahirc with these .cvs. and
have done from Sir. Cevrland's first uiteran,c on
the subec the best way 10 secure good government.
Undoubtedly there 10 b. miny disappointed Office
seekers"
Representative McAlecr. Of Pennsylvania said IL
contend that men who affiliated with the success
full political party should have. other things being
equal, the preference IN unc distribution OF the
Governments patronage. | bcicv" that the hands Of
the party now In power. 10 which owe and accor,
hearty allegiance would be strengthened by having all
offices far practicable filed by good men Ia
political accord with the Administration. rather than
by tho retention selection Of those not In accord
With II. President Cleveland and his Official aids
should DE surrounded by those who believe In Demo
cratic principles rather than by those VITO do not
Congressman Terry. Of Arkansas. was more ont
spoken. lie said The party is entitled TO Its re-
wards. do not suppose that the Republicans four
years ago laid awake at night In for defeat
dcvIsng plans as TO how might best be c0mforied
so far as ! have been able 10 observe altruism ~
not a strong point Of our opponents. They appear
TO take everything In sight With aacriiy and glad
ness. OF course 1 don't believe in violation of the
Civil Service law. II Is a statute. Just as the com.
mand Thou shalt not kp Is q statute. All laws
should be respected. None OF them should be
stretched TO meet any particular demand. The plain
letter OF legislation * to DO found in the books.
Where lis provisions do not extend. Democrats should
be put Into Office and Republicans put ont as fast
ns possible II the rises and falls with splendid
regularity and official heads tumble into the basket
In Il steady stream who will be there TO mourn for
Ike decapltaed I.ogans! Not any Democrat, hope"
Democratic Senators will probably have more In
fucnce In rcgnrd to appointments than Democratic
congressman viii. Senator White. OF California who
Is newcomer, Is clearly OF the opinion that Demo
Gratis shonld hold all the Offices under n Democratic
Administration. lie said - OF course bclicv. that
the Democrats should fill tho offices. NV construction
OF President Ccveland's remarks the Civil Service
Is that partisan work OF Itself Is not enough to Justify
appointment to Office. Candidates must BE- compe-
tent and efficient, also: but between two applicants
Of equal personal merit the who had rendered aid
10 his party. In my opinion Is clearly entitled TO the
preference"
Senator Lindsay. OF Kentucky another newcomer
agrees with Mr.. White lie said " Within limitations
Of deccncy, am believer In the doctrine that the
'sp0ils should So 10 the yctOrs The country ex- |
poets that IA Democratic Administration should be
conducted by Democratic officials. | understand Mr.. |
tieNclands reference TO the Offices mean that he
would execute the Civil Service law. and that com
potency and merit were essentials. This doesn't |
meat that Democrats are TO be ignored The changes
VIII doubtless be made In good time, but II Is not The
work OF day to Install new set OF officials, and the
greater the camor for places the longer II takes TO
effect the changes,
;enalor Mitchell. OF Wisconsin. who succeeds |
.cnatOr sawyer. said IL think that the course OF
the party will be conservative the Civil Servic,
question. ] think the important Offices Will be |
hilcd with Democrats but men who have NOT made |