The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1873-11-20
Promise and Performance.

people of this country voted by q decisive |
majority that the Republican party was /
worthy of confidence and President Grant
entitled to q reelection and a second
term. Though the opposition was vigor- !
Gus and perhaps bitter, though it was ap-
parently more formidable than for years
before on account of the withdrawal of
the Liberals from the support of the Adj
ministration, and the coalition of the
Democrats with them upon a single ticket.
the result was an overwhelming victory
for the Administration party. 1t is no
time now to analyze the causes; we were
surfeited long ago with that. Opinions
differed then and doubtless do now as to
the potential elements in the combina-
ton. There IS one point, however, upon
which al agree, to- wit, that the people
gave their confidence TO the Administra-
ton because it made certain professions
and held out certain promises. At the
end of a year it 4slegitimate and proper
TO gather up its work and compare it's per
Torrance with its promise. Though the
struggle was fierce and full of bitterness,
it is q pleasant fact to remember that at
it's close all parties, with hardly an indi-
vidual exception, accepted the result with
~equanimity and good nature and said,
1--WE shall be very glad to see the Adj
"ministration carry out successfully the
programme it has issued and give US
wise, economical, wholesome rule
Whether or not it has done is now a fair
In the matter of Civil Service Reform
we were promised much. Indeed, we
were told that having been initiated by
the present Administration, it was essen
tial to its success that the Administration
should be continued. 1t can hardly be
claimed that we nave had much OF any of
it in these twelve months. Leaving out
g large number of unfortunate appoint
ments and reappointments, the mount of
performancein this regardmay be sufficient
ly indicated by the resignation of George
W. Curtis, upon whose bond for the good
faith resident the people depended
more the ything else. Should further
comment Unnecessary, the assessments of
Government clerks in st. Lonis, Balti-
more, Philadelphia, ana likewise
in New York. furnish it. But we
take Mr.. Cultis's word for it, verified as it
has been by events, that the Reform has
been virtually abandoned.
Concerning the national finances, it will
be remembered that the Administration
was not only profuse in promises but
somewhat threatening with its warnings.
1t is so little time ago that very few
probably bave forgotten how eminent
financial authorities argued the Impor-
lance of continuing the present Admins
tration so as not to disturb the finances
and the business of the country, nor how
they predicted financial disturbance in
case of Mr.. Greeley's election. How well
the promise of financial prosperity has
been answered, the assignees of these
gentlemen may partly tell, while the pros
trate business interests of the whole
country furnish the story.
The promise of retrenchment was fol-
lowed by a message from the President
recommending an enormous expenditure
for a wild scheme of internal improve
ments, and by the passage of a law doub-
ling the Presidents salary, increasing the
pay of congressman so per cent, paying
them over a million dollars of unearned
money, and increasing all the appropria-
tons. The promise of honest administra=
ton in all departments was followed i'm
mediately by the pardon of some of the
most notorious defaplters, and has since
been followed by almost daily revelations
of frauds, thefts and defalcations IN all
branches of the Government service.
Louisiana, under the government of
usurping authority, maintained by FEEDER
al power, and other States SIMILARLY con-
troiled from Washington, are commont
enough upon the promise of law, and or
der, and peace at the South. The boast of
a successful peace policy with the Indians
had its sufficient commentary in the Mo-
doe war. -E EE- -E
The protestations of regard for the pu-
ritY Of elections-were followed by frauds
N Pennsylvania so sweeping that good
men in the ADMINISTRATION party could
not refrain from indignant denuHciation
nf than. and IN If-thlo- Wara not an0,,Ok
the pardon Of the President released from
prison the only man who was convicted
~otfraudulent voting ,andso discouraged the
prosecution Of hundreds more equally
guilty. Eammany exposures in New York
were made the pretext and the means for
fastening worse rings of the Administers
ton stElpe upon other cities. The party
which claimed to be respectable, honest,
clean, decent, and to- represent moral
ideas, was found to have in the Senate
men who bought their seats in open mar
ket; men who received retainers from
great corporations TO represent their in
terests in the National Legislature. men
who in one form or another reeeiYed
brides; men whoss public life was a dis
grace, and men whose private life was
scandal. 1t has not been a pleasant DIS
coyery for the American people.
But one of the most conspicuous fea-
lures of the campaign which ended a wear
ago was the indignation felt and express
ed by some OF the best men in the coun-
try at the Infamous charges brought
against our Christian statesmen. It was
resented almost as q personal affront:-l
Well, 1T is enough to say of that matter
that the last Congress Investigated ten
DERBY but effectively the Credit Mobilier
transactions A great many honest and
well-meanlng persons were shocked, too, |
at intimations that the President was not
utterly unsel6sh, and the embodiment of
wisdom as well as valor. Some of them
have recently read Congressman Wizards
account Of the passage of the Salary bill; |
all of them saw the ~alacrity with which |
the President signed the bill doubling his
own salary, and nearly all of them have
read how he refused to violate the law"
in the issuance of the $44 ,000, 600 ere
serve," and went directly to Washington
and consented to the isspe.
A years performance Is the comment
on the promises of the campaign. One
thing that was promised has been done. |
The Franking Privilege has been abolish
ell. Would 1t be unhnd to set off against
It that 1t WIS made the pretext for steal
ing a million and q half fIom the TrsasuT
~ and Increasing salaries at Almost RUM
Gus rate? The people have gathered up
things in memory. A great many |
of them who voted for Presl-
dent Grant a year ago to-day have got
tired Of politics" Is there any lesson in
It? Wouldn't IL be wise for parties hsre-
after to cay what they believe and per-
FORM uybat f6av nrouaSaa1 ar 70 m.l1.a 1