Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-07-17

Hoke Smith has co'ae IN for large
share of iust criticism since hc assumed
control Of The interior department lat
March No man snls-. 1t he John q. Car
lisie came To Mr. ilevslsnd's cabinet
better advertised than Nf Smith and
ed more incompetent for the ,mpor
tan. duties Of hrs position Mr.. smith
has. In many ways. proved HIM
self man ~ narrow prejudice. and con
usetsd sie~s While the other members Of
the cabinet have hcen tor the most
part simply executive clerks. and
cussble for the Numerous biua'lsrs tha'
bsve attended thsw official acts TINS far
Mr.. Smith appear 10 have had hIs own
way from the first. HIS ability to lead Mr.
Cleveland 10 his own way Of thinking has
been h,. most distinguished Characteristic.
|, is probable though that this comes Of
MIR Cleveland. general suhserylcncy TO
the South, of which asction Mr.. smith Is
presumed to be the strongest Representative
in the cahiret Hence :, Is tia, this t,cor-
g,s statesman has been able to conduct
the AFFAIR." of the important department
over which he prcsiies according to
bis ewn ideas lie has art at defiance
from the start all civil service preccien's
and laws Mr. cleveland has made hyPo-
critical prrten sinns to bs \ refnrmer Of ,his
character but hvp 'crisy is not one Of Mr.
Smiths f,lipgs. He ia an entspokrn spoils
man and hi' tune, ssnce the fourth lag Of
last March has been pretty fully occupied
in the distribution of poii'icsl iosves and
ashss II IL however, IN the treatment nc
corded Union veteran. that he has attained
the most unssvory nototi"ty. Coming from
state that FORMED hot bod
OF southern treason. the scene of
Shermsps famous march AMI of some
Of the most hptly contested CON
nicts of the Rebellion, It IL not strange that
Mr.. Smith should hrtng To his esh,nst pos,
ton deep aud sh,.sssr hatred for the brave
men who fought IN mtiutsia the Tn n
in it, integrity, II Mr.. Smith
we're q man of broad mould he
nigh. b. able 10 rise above these
petty rrejudir,s and view the country sni
its people in generous aua patriotic way
Unfortunately Mr.. Smith Is not 80 eensti
tuted. II. is not bread man. neither focs
he possess tho sh'aity TO rise above the level
of inherited sainos,,iss His state was
devasied by var tie is nov in position to
wresk petty vengeance upon the brave
men who SUSTAINED tho supremacy of the
Stars ani Strips on Soathsra BATTLEFIELD Ia,
and he is making the moot OF his opportunity,
II wss loudly heral,icd BY the Mugs amp
apcicsias Of Mr.. Glove an that h. hal So
lected . Iaioa veteran As comm .sioerr
Of pensions. and that ,his important office
instead of being administered b, southern
Bourbon Of the ultra type would he carrie /
en- By = maa fully an heartily in sympathy
With the boys in tms. How uafounded are
h 'u ssss rttous is sircsdy fully established.
The commissioned Of pensions has, thus far
been merely figure hesi All the authority
that has heeu comr,only sup sed to vest
IN him has been exercised by ME-.
Smith. and exercised, ~ We hsv, already
said. 10 the pre- iuai,e of Union veterans
His recent order susrcnAng oil soldiers
On the pension rct for sixty days in order
tn and gu, wh,thvr they arr rssll. eatSied
=, the pittsncc they arr drawing from the
government. is one of the most unjust
swd unjusti6Ahle acts in the already evcns-
full history of his administration Of the IN
terror department. HIS injustice is emphs-
sised ia that no nctice is given of saspeu-
Al m until the gens,oncr appears to set his
quarterly stipend. This va. the case in
fttssearg where the frs, suspensions we're
n.siced II has been discovered tina; the
names of many Of the veterans dropped
have long been On the pension rolls and
their disabilities are 80 rasnifes, that the
justice eccemes Aouely sess.vstine.
This 10 all being done in the maze Of
Economy" and Reform two hunhuS
s<stimenss that have been pleaded with
nAaseasiuk psrsisseney and glaring hypoc-
~. ever aimee the Obscure lawyer from At
lsasa. was planted in the cabinet
Il . evi6est hat Mr.. Smkh's cut
rssecss condncf. is merely the car
sStas out Of . Democratic plan to
e-asl BY indircctiou Law they do not dare
i 0sFealy repeal. Il 10 one Of the noss
eupa5 - Assuisnlle lsiiais s-~ ~
- + ~ Aiseoay 81 en- gsrss.nens. and