Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-29

members of Congress in the control OF ap-
pontments for their own selfish purposes !;
but recent rule adopted by the Civil Service
Board and approved by the President, pro-
vides that all recommendations for appoint
ments shall be in writing, gand that recon-
mendations by all officers If the government,
including members OF Congress. shall be con-
sidered as those only of unofficial persons.
except where they have been first invited 10
give their opinions. The operation of this
rule must, In effect, greatly diminish the in
reference of members of Congress with the
appointing power, and relis We the country
/ from the alleged evils.
! FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.
The financial administration of the Repub-
/ hcan Par'y has given to the country stability
and Confidence. Under its rule the business
men of the nation count with confidence up
on the years 10 come. and know what they
may reasonably look for, and enterprise
leaps forward as it never did before With
the advent of the Democratic Party TO power
would come vscillation, destruction of con.
| fide nee, tampering with the currency, threats
and tears Of reputation. The accession to
power of party pledged to free trade, and
violent changes in the revenue system, would
paraly re with fear the great manufacturing
interests of the country, and check every new
| investment and enterprise in thar direction.
The fact that the Democratic Party upon all
financial gus stions has no policy and is in a
state OF utter confusion, would not prevent
the mischief. Their known hostility to man.
ufac,uriag interests, their blind strikngs out.
their threats Of change and revolution, would
result in consequences as disastrous as de-
csive action. What the country needs is not
change of policy and measures, but wise,
honest, and vigorous administration. The
Government is much in the condition of
man whose business is well established and
under good regulations, and whose success
does not depend upon the introduction Of
radical new methods and projecting new en-
terprises, but upon the industry, skill, econo-
my, and integrity in the management of his
affairs. Reforms in administration are al
ways possible, and should be diligently
sought for, just as any wise business man NAV
improve from true to time in the manner Of
carrying on his regular business.
RAILROAD ILLUSTRATIONS
In illustration of the enormous growth and
development of the country under Republican
administration, l may refer to the fact that
on the lst of January. 1873, there were in op-
Grafton in the United States 1922 miles of
railroad, and that of this number over 3d.
600 have been built since the beginning of the
war, at cost of not less than 81 500, 00O, 600.
And the great fact, which the most stupid can
| not deny, is that from the time the Republican
party came into power up TO the present day,
notwithstanding the war of the rebelhon-a
Democratic legaey-with all its dreadful
waste of blood and treasure, the nation has
flourished, grown, and prospered as it never
did before, and as no other nation has done
in the same period of time. In contrast with
this fact, all the complaints and snarliDgs of
the Democratic party are but as the little hill
locks raised by the prairie-dogs compared
with Pixies Peak and the mighty range OF
snow-clad mountains of Colorado.
INDIscRIs!IwArE CHARGES.
To the general charge of corruption in the
Republican party, have returned general
denial. That there are corrupt men in the
Republican party, ard have been in every
party in this and every other country. no SEN
sible man will deny. While human nature
continues fallible and imperfect, there will BIZ
weakness and corruption among the member.
lof every human organization. Even in thi
1 good old county of Athens you can scare
find congregation that does not contain on
or more black sheep. Those who charge an
lie believe in universal corruption are them
III selves most likely to be corrupt for out of III
;" abundance Of the heart the mouth speaketh
e. and when we hear brawlng demagogue o
le the stump denouucing Republican officials a
Ia generally corrupt, the chances are that MAJ
:" IMPROVED MORALS IN POLITICS.
i The standard of public morals is TODD,
J. higher in this country than it has ever been
= before. OF this am satisfied from some.
/, what careful reading of the history of our
country for the last 100 years. So far from
! the public morals having been debauched and
!, deteriorated during the twelve years of Re-
publican rule, Notwithstanding the war; with
all Its consequences and demoralizatiops, they
have been greatly elevated and improved
Let il be understood that the investigation of
the Credit Mobiler, and all others that have
taken place, were ordered by Republican
Housr, and Senate. upon the motion and at
, the instance of Republican members 1t is
not that Congress is more corrupt than for.
merly, for, in my Judgment, it is less so; but
it is that public opinion demands a higher
standard of rectitude on the part of public
, men than was ever before exacted. Let it be
said of the Republican Party, as matter of
simple justice that this great progress has
been under its domination.
coNGREssMEN GROWING BETTER.
There was less intemperance in the last
Congress than in any one that ever before as
sembled in the capital. In that respect there
, has been marked Improvement in the last
ten years. As to gambling, know not of a
single Senator who is now charged as gam
UiSr WHSTtas, We wei remember That In
former times some of those who stood first in
the ranks ofparty, and rated highest for in.
tellectual ability, were known as gamblers,
who spent many of their nights and even their
days at the gaming table. There have been
one or two fragrant cases Of bribery in Sena-
torial elections, but upon these the seal of
; general condemnation has been set so deeply
burnt in, as 1t were, with iron and public
attention has been so profoundly awakened
to the enormty of the crime that we cannot
doubt that upon this subject public morals
and those of deliberatve bodies have been
elevated and advanced.
z REPUBLICAN, sELF-INyEsTIGATIoN,
h 1t was once said by distinguished states
man That no danger was to be apprehended
7 from error ms long as truth was left free TO
!. combat 1t. 1t may be said that no danger is
l. 70 DC unprecedented from corruption as long as
h poiiucai parties are free and prompt in its in
). Eesugauon and punishment. While human
!. nature remains weak and tallible, as il now
~ 49, there wiii be corruptions and short. com
silnrS: hut while fnprq is pnl ~