Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1874-10-22
STATE 1ANAGEMENT-A FEW INSTANCES
FOR COMPARISON,

some facts and figures which we give else
where show distinctly what the record of the Re-
publican party ia, with regard to its management
OF state affairs, in several of the most prominent
Northern States. They speak for themselves.
They tell their own story. It is not only TO-
o3,t Of which the Republican party is Justly en-
Titled to be proud. out it is such record as no
"tuer party organization has ever made. Until
The Republicans came into power, there was new
'r party so devoted to principle, so moved by
l'e best considerations of public policy, and
80 sensitive to the just criticism OF the people,
ae To be either able or willing to undertake and
accomplish reform, either in the nation
o. the States. The Democratic par
" WAS never party Of reform. 1t
heIer--we say this in challenge Of denial
" "estr, ofit o,cn motion, reformed anything !,
Every step OF progress, in the conduct Of the
government for the last forty years, has been
taken, not only without its aid but in spite of It's
opposition. 1t is capable OF covering up and
perpetuating abuses, but it has never had the
moral courage to attack them
We do not need to prove this by the history of
'ie rise OF the Slave Power in the nation by the
management of the Democratic party, though
iha' is Quo OF the most overwhelming masses of
daiining proof that any set of men ever reared
against themselves, but we are able to Illus
irate the proposition conclusvely in its State
management Look at our own State and
what has it done Has it reformed any abuse !?
Haa it moved to lift the burdens from
the shoulders Of the people Are the records of
lis Legislatures the records Of progress Every
man knows the contrary. Every man knows
That it has thrown its protection over everything
thGi deserved attack and has maintained and
peipetusted every imperfection and monstrosty,
which, in the long course of years had grown
urst the body polite, Here and there, in one
n two instances, during the last legislative ses-
ri"n. the evidences of public discomfort forced
II to yield point, but it yielded reluctantly. Its
policy is not that of Reform it will not be, in
the future, as 1t never has been in tine past the
willing instrument of publication.
The record Of the Democratic party in Della
ware is it, record in other States. Under its adj
nnstrattoii, the debt of Pennsylvania grew
from five millions of dollars. i'll 1925 to twenty
Four sud half millions, in 1885, and again, dur
nS - control, in the long period of Democratic
ralc. between 1889 aud 1913, the debt
roen to the enormous sum of over
forty millions of dollars This was the
glorious era for the party in that State. 1t had
Iattened on the State system of railroads and
canals. Its ofce-seekers were quartered by
hundreds in the fat and easy places made for
then in the "public works." UNTIL instead of
returning nett revenue these We're an annual
l0as 10 the State. A more corrupt political
period was Eever known in Pennsylvania, nor
une when the party in power was more intensely
partisan aud more severely proscriptive of all
opposition.
Such is the record Of Democratic rule in Penn
sylvania. Since 1913, there have been but two
Governors of that party-holdnS six years
while there have been twenty years of Wing and
Republican management What has followed :?
The nominal obligations of the State, to-day, are
less thau twenty-five millions of dollars, with
nine millions i'll the sinking fund. leaving the
debt less than sixteen millions And this re-
dnction, since lsls. has been accomplished, in
spite Of the war debt which the State contracted
and in spite of great reduction of the peoples
taxes. The war loan was three millions of dol
lars and the money was used to aid the Union
not to coyertiy lend assistance to Its enemies
aud yet reduction of twenty-four millions of
dollars has been accomplished since 1913.
Even in the Sontlt, Democratic management
shows consplcuou, Instances Of its characters
tie faculty Of failure. The state of Virginia
which has not been out of its hands, except dur
iug Il brief period Mt the close OF the War, for
many years, and which has never been preyed
npon, rs 1t is pretended some of the reconstruct
ed States have, is bankrupt and in condition of
reputation, to-day, with debt reared by Dem
o.railc hands great that the people cannot
pay 1t. South Carolina is no worse off,
Such instances-and they may be pushed
much further--show the folly of looking TO the
Democratic party for l!eform, either in the Ma
ton or in the State.