The New York herald., 1871-11-30
A NATIONAL REFORM PARTY.
An Appeal to the People.

An Appeal to the People.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
There Is a large number OF thinking men In the
country at this time who are considering the subject
OF some reform In our national, State and municipal
affairs. Matters nave come to such pass that the
continuance OF them Will unques,ionably lead to
serious consequences. Some know the sources OF
the trouble. others are ignorant Of them. Those
who have seen most and thought most on the sub
ject have come to the conclusion that continuance
in office Is the great source OF the evil 1t has be.
come the fashion among the politicians, as soon as
they are elected 10 Office, to commence q course
OF action to secure their reelection. and
all their public acts are shaped to this
end. Public interests are forgotten, and
private ones alone thought OF ana worked for, the
result being that they to all kinds Of
to procure money and interests by special legisa-
ton, and do as public men what they would scorn
to do rs private individuals. The fault is not more
that Of politicians than Of the people, who have
silently allowed this fashion to become seated dis
ease without starring up any solid opposition to 1t
taking any decided step to arrest It TO be sure,
the people complain about 1t and camor over It, but
60 straightway to the polls and reelec these very
men, thus endorsing and approving their action,
and 1t is believed, simply because they know Of no
and left by special class legislation, State govern
O TO give place ponca
country hooded with travelling one-h0ders to keep
politics level and, IN truth, the whole country made
TRIBUTARY, in bad laws c>d worse government to
cure reelection 10 office. This Iasnlon runs down
to the lowest elective Office IN the government, Till
the whole body polite mas become fostering, lOath.
some sore Of corruption and Is stencil to-day In the
nostrils OF the nation. The question frequently
asked Wy Is II that the first talent and the highly
educated and refined OF the land VIII accept 20.
liticai onicer The answer Is apparent. The FASH
Ion Of politics Is corruption. venallty, Is yielding
up OF all the natural instincts Of honest. upright
man to the party lash OF reelection. He must 60
| port our measures give up his individuality as a
man, and be my tool for reelection or be turned out
Or office TO starve or taDoocd II elected by the peO
pie II he don't use every means for my reelection.
| The suffering people ASK How can this be RENE
diedf ana the polliicans say, What are you going
| To do about ity' The people answered the latter
question at the polls in New York at the last cleo
ton, and 1t Is hoped that the same question will be
! answered in the same way IN all future elections
| throughout the country. chow can TINS be rene
| died ~ The remedy simple the sore is can.
| cerous and Is to be applied by the people them.
| Selves There are but two small, homeopathic
pills TO be administered, and the cancerOus political
sore will heal and the body politic become
healthy
F-Aake all elective officers ineligible for a second
S,ni-MaSe il a felony Any elected oncer to receive
or Tor any one to Offer any s 6r5e Or douceur to that
1t would certainly seem unwise to undertake to
run our political machinery TO grind up the filth
ana slusn with which politicians are now feeding it
and to endsnger Its stability by running through it
material which 1t was never made to consume.
Hence the time seems appropriate 10 correct these
Gratis can do II and do it thoroughly. There no
occasion for past ISSUES. which have become history
entwining into this reform movement. Let the
people first put their political machine In order and
then whatever party, by whatever name will run
parry to hold the reins of government. The masses
VIII vote Tor principles and not men. as parties
principles. TIC gist OF a reform movement should
he TO give more power 10 the people ana less 10
to a maze s poGs ehe an 10 s gaoa
with politics as money making and pecuIating
business.
And II the people do not turn their attention to
correct existing evils our maturing ana increasing
bonds and the millions OF acres OF lie public domain
passing quietly into the possession of politicians In
the shape Of subsidies TO corporations everywhere
will by and by remind US that such Injuries for par
ty ascendaDcy are exceedingly expensive to support
and continue. The democratic party have been
barking at the heels OF radcalism ever since the
mite shape of principles correct evils and hence
their uniform defeat The people have said, 'fhese
sns s pS ee 9an To nf m ner
It Is cheaper for us TO keep those we nave hal or
tw0thrds faLtened.n
them otherwise, but the politicians and leaders will
give them no opportunity TO vote upon them. That
tant or, rest assured they VIII take the matter into
tner own hands and sweep away party combina-
able 10 suppose that they VIII gr0an and sweat
under debts contracted TO support In luxury poll
In ONCE by the thousand while they earn the money
1t by the hardest work. 1t is unreasonable II
Is dSdllist scuSe, anu VIC lhSc kOuc
enough In this direction IL Is time the thing should
be changed and the country ~ ready 10 do IT, The
following platform Is suggested 10 accomplish this
object
THE PEOPLES PLATFORM OF THE NATIONAL
REFORM.
!. Universal amnesty and universal male suffrage
10 constitution Of the Uniot states IN the
wing parculaTo elect by the direct votes OF the
people Pretden vco President and United States Scna.
tors -. 49,. - -
state and ms I, s.p ..ms ss BY the people
all elective officers literally, and TO make II
felony Tor any elected TO receive directly ndi
recy any g present during continuance In ONCE.
g. An officers TO take oath on entering that they
win accept any gft present or money or beneh from
kind directly ndrccty Tor or BY
against any law or Tor
or against any which they can innuence.
For convictions OF pecnations upon the govern
ment federal state municipal, or the taking OF gis,
presents money benefits directly or indirectly as above
named party convicted shall be forever dsranchised
confined IN the PepitentaTy or State Prison Tor
not less than years nor over twenty aud
committed til PAID half the iDformer aud the same
penalty and c the OF the value OF the onef for
any who shall offer GIT present, money OF bcneb, 70
public oliccr tor the purpose above stated.
q. reform In the civil service.
8. Reform IN the revenue laws AMI tarlH.
e. elected this platform to carry out US PRO.
visions until the constitution can oe
amended aud The laws passed.
To accomplish the end intended the people, II 'ney