The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-03
u Y: gamlgn b cineianali TrSane.

II. Y, BoWi0H IA CiReiRHat Tribune
There is one fact connected with the
transfer Of the government to the Dem
ocracy which speaks volumes for the
integrity in management OF the nations
business. There has not been even
suggestion OF counting the cash in the
treasury, or testing the balances to the
credit Of each OF the great departments,
or taking an account oistock in single
one OF the countless variety and num-
Der OF the government storerooms,
Callow orators by the hundreds who
know much less about public affairs
that their voices, impressive manners,
and earpestness might indicate to u
crowd waiting to be instructed, have,
for many years, insisted that Republic
can extrayagaRce and corruption have
been the rule during all tho later years
OF that party's lie.
And yet, the Democratic leaders come
into power and take full possession OF
the government withoutgiving the least
sign that they believe anything OF the
kind. AS u matter Of fact they not
only do not believe, but it is even
doubtful whether the idea that 1t would
be we'll TO count the cash in tho treas
ury has even occurred to Secretary
Carlisle, or II any OF the other heads OF
departments have thought that it might
be prudent TO examine the balances
which remain to their credit or take
an account oil tho immense stores for
which they have become responsible,
There Is not cabinet officer OF the
newadministratio butwho has received
either millions in money, or vast sums
10 public stores and public property
from his Republican predecessors, not
only without examination and veritica.
tons, but without the thought OF apply
ing any tests whatever.
The case was the same when tho Re-
pnblicans received the treasury with all
its monies and securities back from the
Democrats at the close OF Mr. Cleve-
lands administration, and the property
and stores Of all the great departments
OF the public service.
More absolute proof OF the integrity
OF our public affairs could not DO adj
duced. Such confidence does not any
where exist in private affairs. The
smallest bank in the land could not be
transferred to new hands without a
careful counting OF cash and full exam
ination OF the books. And yet Mr.
Carlisle comes into the treasury, and
comes responsible for such items as a
gold reserve OF SlO0,0OO,O00, and hun
dreds upon hundred OF cords OF silver
dollars, with securities OF various kinds,
amounting out OF sight into the mil
lions, without athought OF even inquir.
ing whether they arc all on hand, or
whether the wicked" "extravagant
and corrupt" Republicans Of the party
speakers and party press, have made
away with any portion oil these vast
values.
Such a presentation Of public affairs
as these facts afford is inspiring to pa
triotism. II shows the public business
10 DO on safer, sounder and more
trustworthy basis than private affairs
in the land-sound and honest as they
in the main have always been.
1t is this sure knowledge which the
party leaders on both sides possess OF
the integrity OF the management Of the
great departments OF tho government
which causes and justiieJ the deliberate
movements toward change OF which
the naturally impatient oiiiceseekers
complain. This makes the retention OF
largo number OF public officials OF the
higher grades not only possible, but adj
vantageOus, until the question Of their
successors eau receive that attention
which the importance Of the subject
demands.
Mr.. Cleveland deserves the credit Of
first inaugurating the practice OF max
ing haste slowly in these matters, and
finally OF leaving many Republican
officials to serve out their terms. In
fact most OF them where their service
was creditable and satisfactory here, or
in the communities where it was per.
formed. Mr. Harrison not onyiollowed
this method, but extended it, and many
OF Mr.. Cloveland's appointees were kept
throughout his term. Now Mr.. Cleve-
land begins by announcing that, as a
rule, Republican ofFice.holdera will
serve ont four years term when their
commissions specify such period Of
service.
II 10 altogether natural that the great
congregation OF office seekers, who
have the right to come, and, within
certain limits, the right to be heard,
should not understand this delibera.
ton on tho part OF Democratic Pres.
ident to sweep out Republican officials
and promptly fill their places with his
adherents. These crowds have no OK.
tended knowledge of the immense
machine OF government, or Of the load
OF responsibility which President as.
eumes when he undertakes to set IT and
keep 1t in motion in u proper and
ciiicien. performance OF tho peoples
business. They cannot understand how
easy it Is TO derange its parts by calling
in new mon, nor how difficult II would
be to recover what might DO lost by
injudiGiou4 changes.
Just now there Is great indignation
among these worthy citizens because
cabinet officers find II necessary to take
two or three days in the week, in which
they deny themselves to everybody, In
in order Tint thoy may become familiar
with the most pressing duties OF their
departments, and give attention to aomo
OF the accumulated work, but tho cry IL
going up louder and louder, day by day,
that this is "cxclusivoness" "snObbish.
ness, aud quito undomooralic, 1t is,
however, simply ono oil the absolute no.
quirements OF the situation. With
those seeking office nothing seems so
essential as filling places with Demo.
Gratis. With tho President, who is 70.
Hponsible over all, and the heads OF
departments, whose regulations arc to
be made or lost by their ndninistra.
ton, tho first consideration is to
mako sure OF tho steady, successful and
efficient performance Of the immense