The record-union., 1893-03-06
THE INAUGURAL SPEECH.

The inaugural address of President
Cleveland was very clear and easily
understood speech. 1t leaves no one in
any doubt concerning his views upon the
tariff-they are summed up in the words
he used with such emphasis necessity
for revenue to support the Government
furnishes the only justification for taxing
the people," He was equally as pro-
nounced in his expression antagonistic
to the radical paternal doctrine that
would cultivate the dangerous habit of
leaning upon the Government to the
destruction of fself-helpfulness.
The spoilsmen must have felt cold
chills creep to the marrow of their bones
when Mr.. Cleveland pronounced so
warmly in favor of civil service reform.
There was not word to indicate that the
new administration proposes to apply the
knife under the battle cry, 'to the victors
belong the spoils." On the contrary, un-
less the new President is deceiving the
people, these words mean faithful ad-
hesion TO civil service reform principles.
One mode of the misappropration of public
tunds Is avoided when appointments to Office
instead of being the rewards of partisan
activity, are awarded to those whose efficiency
promises fair return of work for the conf
pensation paid them. To secure fitness and
competency OF appointees to Office and re-
move from political action the demoraliZing
madness for spoils civil service reform has
found place in our public policy and law
The dement's already gained through this in
strumentality and the further usefulness it
promises entitle IL to the hearty support and
encouragement of all who desire 10 see ol1r
public service well performed or who hope for
the elevation of political sentiment and the
purifcation OF political methods.
This was more than the most advanced
civil service reformer had expected from
Mr.. Cleveland. There would not ap-
pear to be any reading between its
lines possible. If it means anything it
means that the new President will not
only not hinder the operation of the civil
service regulations but will aid their en-
largement and betterment.
The President gave the free silver men
no consolation whatever, and,condemned
trusts and combines. He gave it out to
be understood that he felt bound to his
party to carry out its prediction pledges.
We can scarcely believe, however, that
he will carry this to the extentspf up
holding the. scheme to re-establish
wildcat banking, which he did not
mention.
There was no reference to foreign
affairs and none concerning immediate
measures of prominence, such as Ha-
waiian annexation, the Nicaragua Canal,
shipping rehabilitation, continuation of
naval building, ocean mail service, etc.
He did, however, refer guardedly to
the Indian policy, indicating his friendli-
ness to the substitution of education and
the arts of peace for arms and the reser-
walton system, in conserving the well
fare of aboriginal tribes. He gave it to be
understood also that he favors rigid
overhauling of pension applicant lists
and the purging of the Pension Depart
ment of any fraud and imposition upon it.
1t was a general delivery, touching
only upon few topics and those of
broadly general character. 1t left unsaid
purposely great many things which the
President probably holds need specific
and special treatment at length and
which are best discussed in messages to
Congress.