Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-13

One OF the Prohibited Class Talks sharpl
Against the Presidsnt's Policy.

One OF the Prohibited Class Talks Sharply
Against the Presidsnt's Policy.
He held prominent position under the pre-
vious democratic administration and had con-
tributed materially to the last nomination and
election Of president Cleveland, but he feels
now that he il under . ban, and to say he ID
angry is putting it very mildly He has made
no application for his former place, and says he
does not cart. for it particularly, but he is mad
all through because Of the Presidents attitude
toward his former associates in Office. He got
very excited when talking about it to star
reporter today.
"why was appointed before p said he.
"was it to reward me for my services to the
party or was it because was specially quail
fed? Possibly it was both Well, why
shouldn't the same rule apply now2 worked
harder this time than before for the success OF
the democratic ticket. and il stands to reason
that am more competent to hold Office now
than l was before.
NH. cLEvELANp's OWN CASE
"Then when 1 was appointed had to learn
my official duties. Now know them by prac-
teal experience Mr.. Cleveland ought to know
how 1t is himself. He is certainly better
equipped for his duties now than he was eight
years ago. The principal cause Of his re-eiec-
during his first term. Why, then, shouldn Z
the same rule apply to me and the other demo-
cratic ex-office holders. Mr.. Cleveland didn't
decline the Office of President on the ground
that he had already been sufficiently rewarded
BY his party, nor does he appear to have
Mr. Lamont 1t doesn't affect the
argument to say that these two
men were conspicuously proficient for
the reason that am perfectly satisfied to have
all appointments based on merit. What par
ticularv object to is the treatment Of former
appointments by President Cleveland in the
light of rewards which the recipients are told
in so many words to regard payment in full
for services rendered, when Mr.. Cleveland hiru-
self WAS restored to position Of honor and
power principally because of his previous
service in the same Office.
SLIGHTLY INCONSISTENT.
"To my mind he is, to say the least, slightly in
consistent when ne makes previous government
employment a bar to present preferment. 1t
wouldn't have been so bad if he had privately de-
cided not to reappoint ex-officials whose service
had not been above the average, but to announce
generally that previous service regardless Of its
character would prejudice an applicant's
chances for Office is a little beyond my sense of
right and justice. especially when think OF his
own case. Isn't it fact that he appointed the
men to office before on the sole ground of
ments as political rewards.
Perhaps. however. he did so regard them.
How otherwise can you regard the policy which
makes no distinction between the good and the
bad Official simply turning them down as q
class.
OUGHT NOT TO DE DEBARRED.
81 don't hold that they are entitled to ap-
pointment simply because they held Office be-
fore, but do hold that they ought not to be
debarred simply because Of that fact. Oh, yes;
know that this rule will not apply in excep-
tional cases. My objection. however, is to the
rule and not to its exceptions. 1t may be a
good one, but do not think SO. 1t won't hurt
me particularly. because 1 don't depend on
Uncle Sam for living. but l don't like to see
the men who really did the hard work of the
campaign Disseminated against simply because
they may have already held government Office,
especially as the man who discriminates against
them is exactly in the same boat"
AT this point the speaker got so angrily ex-
cited that his remarks became disjointed.