Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-23
READY FOB THE QUESTION.

READY FOR THE QUESTION.
Ali who think that right and integrity
should be carried into political and off,
cial life with the same sincerity and
stern fidelity as in private and social
relations, believe It to be practicable
to secure certain administrative re-
form in our governmental affairs. How
and BIZ whom shall this reform be achieved?
By the people and their chosen agents at
Washington. That the honest and patri-
otto majority Of Congress are being awak-
ened to the importance of the needed work,
there can be no doubt. That the political
opponents of the dominant party prefer
the needed reforms should be postponed is
obvious from the tone Of their newspapers
and the action of their Congressman,
though honorable exceptions to this there
may be. The Republicans, Of course. will
not listen to the voice and wishes of their
opponents, nor so conduct as to give them
partizan capital in the future. A fair state
ment would be that the really patriotic Of
all parties want the best interests Of the
country cared for and the best practical
measures at once adopted.
Nor does honest common sense, seeking
the public good alone, approve the sweep
ing denunciation Of certain newspapers
against all political men, as though integr-
ity and patriotism were banished from our
Congressional halls. This broad and con-
tinuous dsnunciation placing all Congress
men and official persons on the same level
as grossly dishonest and indifferent to the
public good, destroys itself in its very uni
versatility and becomes an effective shield 10
official scamps and public thieves. Nor
do we believe that truth and administra-
tive reform can be advanced by abuse OF
President Grant. To do this may crafty
the animosity Of some and the partizan de-
signs of others, but does not promote the
honor or the welfare of the nation. The
friends Of the President do not claim for
him infallibility. In making tens of thou
sands of appointments he may have made
mistakes. Executive Of country of for
ty-two millions Of people, of such vast ex-
tent. with such complicated interests. it
would be impossible for him not to err
1t may be thought that sometimes he is
little too determined in his purpose after
his opinion has been once matured. Do
not all really strong and effective men
have this quality? To this firmness of
win the Nation is much indebted for the
successful prosecution Of the war against
the rebellion. 1t is to be presumed that
incorrect information and wrong advice
sometimes may have been so presented
him as to appear the better reason. Jack
son, Taylor, and Lincoln so erred.
All practical improvements in the civil
affairs of the country will receive his ear
nest approval. Nor can the necessary
work be best achieved by waging a war
fare of personality, as though the desired
result could be secured by making certain
men. victims, subscribing the supposed per-
sonal ends of individuals. This is SO to
lower the plane of effort as to promise little
substantial good to the public. Those who
have wantonly betrayed their trust and
turned the legal powers placed in their
hands for the sole purpose of pushing
scheme fland piracy against honest mer-
chants and promoting general corruption
they should be struck down as public
enemies a. much as those who plunder on
the high seas or till their purses by forced
loans on the highways. But the essential
thing to be aimed at now is to accomplish
a r.form cfprineiples and measures. Let all
unnecessary temptations in the civil SER
vice be removed. Let there be no longer
premiums held out to villainy. 1t is time
the whole system of notifies and fees were
abolished forever. A specific and regu.
larry paid salary is best for the public.
for the government, for the Official.
Prompt action ON this subject, and speedy
vote on the question Of the Finances. the
people earnestly desire, and we trust that
Congress will at once respond to this pop
ular and patriotic demand. Those who
obstruct this necessary work will be held
to stern responsibility.