The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-03-01
DEMOCRACY AND sPoILs,


Growing Unpopular.
10 he Editor Of he IHteIIigNcsr
SIR; There is much diversity Of
speculation as to the policy Of the DEM
ocratic administration with respect to
the retention of the employees in the
departments at Washington. Whether
the guillotine will be brought into i'm
mediate and relentless execution upon
the heads OF Republican officials, or
whether the same policy which has
found such favor during this and the
preceding administrations shall be al.
lowed to continue its peaceful and
beneGcent rule are questions to which
many anxious minds are directing their
attention.
With certain class of politicians thu
old maxim, 40 the yictors belong the
spoils," which had its first conspicuous
illustration in Andrew JaCksons term,
is comprehensive code Of political
ethics, magnificent declaration OF
political faith in tho unqualified appli.
cation OF which the permanency OF
Democratic control is thought to be
best promoted. They advocate phil
osophy which represents to them the
highest achievement OF patriotism, and
the principle immortalizel by their
patron saint is its best expression.
To those holding government posi-
tons the subject is one OF some ankle
ty, and vet they are mot without COM
fort. 1t is remembered that Mr.. Cleve-
lands first term was marked by such
considerable treatment OF Republicans
in the departments that his party found
tia cause for serious complaint, and in
the election OF 1855 this criticism was
supposed to have crystalized into such
opposition as to form factor in his de-
feat. Mr.. Cleveland's well known inde-
pendence OF thought and action, his
characteristic tenacity in following n
line Of conduct which his judgment
commends, regardless Of factional dis.
favor within his party, is thought TO
afford strong ground for the belief that
the policy, in this respect, which was
found to be consistent in his first term
will also be found consistent in his
second.
1t is not believed that Mr.. Cleveland,
while loyal to his party and cordially
disposed to shape his administration in
the direction of true party advantage,
will permit the spols doctrine to be.
come ruling doctrine.
This view, however, OF the probable
course of the next administration is not
unmixed with apprehension, Official
tenure is by no means regarded as per-
manent. The same conditions that
shaped the policies OF Mr.. Cleveland's
first term, may not be looked upon as
controlling factors in his second. His
larger acquaintance with practical
parties. His obligations, voluntary and
involuntary, arising from the extra
ordinary strength which he massed to
his support, and various other reasons
not potent in his first campaign may
combine to dictate a divergence from
his former policy.
The wholesale decapitation of the
government officials in Washington
whose politics may be OF different
complexion from that preached in Tam
many hall, would have its brief advant-
ages from the standpoint of party OK
pediency. 1t would ptacate that ete.
ment which has been aptly termed
"the hungry and thirsty" and perhaps
disarm entirely any suspicion as to
disloyalty to Simon.pure Jacksonian
Democracy.
With few to whom government is
an elevated science, and true statesman
ship noble ambition that asks and nc.
cepts no sympathy from the spells doc.
trine, it is thought that the incoming
administration would strengthen itself
in public confidence by repudiating at
the start any such impressions. 1t is
held that tho public eXigencies do not
require, and that a dignified conception
OF the responsibilities OF administration
does not justify, any radical disturbance
with the prevailing customs which have
found their highest vindiCation IN the
public conscience. Any effort to rein
state after period OF happy relief
therefrom, the system that accepts
party service as tho onl y standard OF
official recognition would DO u retrogres-
sion aud would encounter tho fierce op.
position OF that intelligence, that noblor'
thought, regardless OF party division, in
which the growing purity Of our institu.
tons finds its highest inspiration. The
spoils system has had Its day and
higher and better national life has como
to mako such methods odious
Tho advocates OF u Jacksonian inter.
probation OF tho spoils theory will
hardly anticipate tho adoption Of their
ideas as to the proper manner in which
tho now administration should conduct
itself. The signs OF tho times furnish
us basis for the prophecy that tho wall
OF protection which tho civil service
law has erected, will DO ruthlossly de-
stroyed.
Tho rascals may all DO excused from
further official relations with the gov
ornment, but the saints can only effect
and entrance into the land OF milk and
honey through tho regulation channel.
The civil service law docs not operate
In tho process by which clerks arc di.
vorced from their official connection,
but II docs control the machinery by
which their SUCCESSORS nro appointed.
A cabinet officer can dismiss any sub.
ordinate In his department, but he Is
absolutely poworlcss to appoint whom
no plOases to tho vacancy Tho power
OF dismissal Is practically unlimited,
and would probably be exercised to an
extent that would crafty tho most ar.
dent spokesman, II tho civil service law
did not intorposn restraining hand.
A roQuisitioh must be drawn upon tho
civil service commission who then fur.
nish threo hamosstanding highest upon
tho list OF uligiblos TO which the ap.
pointing officer must conllno himself.
The political cast Of counienance roprc.