The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-02-18
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THE INTELLIGENCER.
WHEELING, FEBRUARY IS, Isos.


The Charleston Gazette, which, as the
Intelhgencer has previously remarked.
10 Col. McGraw'e organ, delivers another
Knockout blow at the oolonela SENATOR
ial ambition. though It Is done uninten-
tionally Of course. The Gazette doesn't
seem to recognize that the Democracy Of
West Virginia is tetotally opposed to
civil service reform, bur It continues to
praise the law and to protest against
any movement to weaken or repeal 1t.
The Gazette says much in support OF Its
position which is true, but that isn't the
point. The position isn't popular with
the "boys in the trenches" and It IS no
use for the Gazette to regard itself as
doing yoeman service for the colonel in
adopting It. In a lengthy article, which
IS an able support OF the civil service
policy as practised under Mr.. Cleveland.
our Charleston Democratic contempor-
AIRY. which doesn't agree with the
Wheeling Democratic organ IN Its opln-
Z ION that civil service reform is a hum
bug" says:
The Democratic party has not declared
against the reformed system. Under DEM
ocratic administration OF the government,
civil service reform received itc greatest
impetus. The fact Is, tire responsible
statesmen OF both the old parties are In
favor OF the present Law. Thee may be
some minor differences of opinion regard
sponslble politicians In Congress who
would deliberately return to the old bar
barlc spoils system. 1t will be observed
that the Democrats OF the house OF repre-
sentatives did not help the Republican
spoilsmen to 'maccrate the law.
It Is unfortunate that the Gazette
should have spoiled It's excellent article
by. inserting in It this paragraph, for
only part OF it is true. The last two
sentences will surprise great many
Democrats. and, II the Gazette's asser-
lions are to be taken by them as cor
rectly representing the attitude of the
party. 1t will pain them nightly.
a party is known by the record It
makes. and It's policies are usually those
that Its representatives in Congress pur-
sue True. there is an ambiguous de-
claration concerning the civil service
law In the Chicago platform. but that
doesn't cut figure when the represen-
tatlves to Congress- elected by the Dem
ocrats on that platform, boldly, unah-
mously and In caucus, adopt a resolution
declaring It to be the policy of the Demo-
cracy through its representatives in the
popular branch of the national legisla-
ture, to advocate the absolute repeal Of
the civil service law. nothing more and
nothing else.
Whatever the Gazette may say, this Is
the announced policy OF the representa-
tires Of the Democratic party. elected
by the popular vote, and the Democratic
party must stand responsible. We agree
with the Gazette that the Democrats OF
the house OF representatives did not help
the Republican spollsmen to macerate
the law" 1t Is true for two reasons:
First, the Republicans did not macerate
the law; and second. the Democratic
representatives declared. and through
Z tiflt ledueTS uIl the iOoT Oh tue mousse,
the responsible statesmen" In fact,
announced that they would vote for no
bill that did not provide for the ABsO-
Lutte REPEAL OF the civil service
law. Now the question Is, whose word is
going to fix the Democratic policy on
this point. the organs at Charleston.
". Va, or that Of the entire Democratic
representation In Congress?
Colonel McGraw's organ occupies
high and patriotic ground on this ques-
ton, but judging from the tone OF the
Democratic contingent in West Virgin
ia, 1t is going to find 1t uphill work
making the colonel senator on Its civil
service platform. high and patriotic as
It ls. When the boys" who are expect
ed to do the work are called from their
tents with the promise of the crumbs
from the table they will want to know
II the Gazette correctly represents the
colonel's views. or II he stands with the
Popocratlc party In Congress.