The Placer herald., 1871-11-25
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE.

AMI VhAANk NVhhh,oA
Some weeks ago we mentioned the name
aud claims of Judge j. f. Hale, Of this
county, on the Republican party for United
States Senator. We spoke of the Judge
only as Republican, and indicated prefer
ence for him if Republican must be chosen.
Our ncishLor Of the Stripes endorsed the
Judge, both politically and personally, and
to place him fairly in the field before the
public aud party, has written him a letter
asking his views upon the leading questions
likely to have bearing ON the Senatorial
struggle. To this letter Judge Hale replies
through the Stars and Stripes. We have
not room for the whole letter, bu. give below
the more important portions, referring to civil
servics reform, subsidies, land and mining
legislation. 1t will be seen that the Judge
condemns, by implication. the past official
acts Of both Sargent and Cole on these
questions Of which we may again speak:
"Dut it is not to these topics, for the present
that public attention is chiefly directed, is it
necessary for any Republican, whatever his ns-
pirations, to especially define his position at
titude in reference to them. The fact OF his
Espublicanism settles all that and satisfies all
Republicans.
Bat itit imp,rt.n. he should make known
that he Is he rtily in accord with the great masses
o Republicans in demanding certain essential
changes in governmental policies. and if clothed
with authority WILL to the extent Of his ability
and opportunity, work with an honest purpose
10 accomplish among other things, thorough
reformation Of our national civil service, so that
in future tho Congressional Office may be some
thing clso and not chiefly the open shamblcs in
which Federal offices, appointments, employment
snd patronage are barteycd and disposed Of, and
too often with little regard for the interests
er wishes OF the people; and as far rs may be
consistent with the nature and efficiency OF the
publie service. to provide for the election Of all
Federal officers by the people who immedi-
ately concerned in the performance of official
trusts with fidelity and efficiency. Further, to
tho end OF securing efficiency in Offices necessa-
rily filled by appointment, that tho same shall be
rrodicated on the establishment of satisfactory
qualifications in tho appointees, atested by the
certificate OF impartial Examining Boards, to be
constituted by law. That he will labor to sa-
sredly preserve what romans of our public do
main TO tho uses OF homestead and pre- -emption
claimants and for bona fde settlement and i'm
prcvsmsnt thereof in small tracts by the people,
and to curb its further absorption by few per.
sons and corporations for purposes Of specula-
ton, resulting in lasting injury to the outlying
statos and Territories and great wrong to the
homeless; and that no will secure some needed
modification of the laws for survey and sale of
our mineral lands SO rs to prevent their monop-
oily in few hands, and to afford greater facility in
acquiring titles thereto by those who in good
faith engaged in mining pursuits. That he
will earnestly oppose the granting of large sub
sides in lands to railroad and other corporations,
or il such subsidies shall be granted that only
tho proceeds Of the sales of such lands, effected
through the agency of the United States land
Offices, to prc-emption and bona fdc settlers, in
accordance with their established customs and at
the usual rates, shall, instead of the lands them
solves, bs received That he will labor to devise
and apply Nh adequate remedy and check to the
Manifcstly growing abuses prevailing in many
parts OF tho Rcpublic-not overlooking the Pa
eihc States and Territories-in the matter of the
rapid Capitalization into few controlling private
~hands of all the great railroad and water lines OF
internal communication, and the excessive, un-
equal and oppressive charges for froishts and
fares.
Upon these and kindred questions of public
concern, think may say without arrogance,
AZ A.. l.
who have taken any interest i'll scanning my past
connection with State legislation, limited al
though it has been, will readily believe me to be
sound and reliable in accordance with tho fore
going suggestions. To guard against any posi-
bls misapprehension, perhaps sh ould say that
am not one of those who do affect to believe
that the astonishing progress Of late made, and
now making, all over the Union, in railroad
construction aud improvement, marks an era Of
public disaster. On the contrary, this, with
other kindred improvements, is among tho high
est achievements Of this progressive age He is
unworthy to live in the nineteenth century who
docs not joyfully recognize this as true. 1t is
not that we have not needed these improvements,
or that We do not for the future desire their con-
tinuance and extension, but it probably is true
that in our great haste and commendable zeal to
secure tho advantage Of railroad and kindred
improvements, and in our willingness to grant
almost any terms that might be demanded by
those profering their construction We have omit
ted to provide safeguards against evils and abuses
grown up and likely to occur in their construc-
fion and management when not directly under
the authority and supervision of either the State
or National government. As the public high
ways of the State and Nation it would seem that
ultimately the whole railroad system of the
United States must either pass into the hands
and become the property OF the government, or
At least be subject to governmental control,
thereby securing its thorough subordination, on
inst terms, to great public uses. But the reason-
able limits of this reply do not permit further
amplifcation of this subject. j. Z. HALE.
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HERE is another wet weather sign: The
Indians in Kern county say we are going to