Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-04-11
REFORM.
Some Suggestions on the Subject Worthy
of COnsideratiOh-HOW the COUn-
Try Can be Saved.
Too Many Offices end OfEicehOlders-Re-
treacbmeat in ALI Departments
Demanded-The Grange
Movement, Etc.


NEW YORK, April 3.-The tidal wave
that started here in financial matters in
September last. eliminating in the ter
rible panic of tie month, has passed the
Rocky mountains, and is Just now refiu-
ent and having its effect. Trade is per-
fectly stagnant No spring trade where
heretofore there was all the hustle and
hum of Broadway commerce. Now you
see "to letu on every fifth or sixth store
in Broadway, and if congress or some
other power don't do something to re-
store confidence a chronic panic will
seize the whole country, that must pre-
duce q general collapse, which can only
be worked out of by a total reform OF
our political system, or at least the prsc-
teal workings of it. We have too many
offices by half, and too many office
holders TO support, requiring too high
taxes to support them, borne maiA-
lv by the labOring classes. We have too
many courts. Our judiciary system is
too extensive and costly, and must be
simplified and its expenses reduced.
While Radicalism prevails on the one
side and radical Democracy on the other,
the voice of reform and retrenchment
will not be heard. Each party will
stand by their nominees, whatever their
principles OF antecedents have been.
What we want, and what we must have
If we get out of our present and impend-
ing troubles, is, first, total reform of
party politics. We mustignOre all party
lines, and join any party who will
pledge themselves to comply with the
wishes of the people, and those princi-
pies must be clearly defined, and as far
as | can see now, as business man,
ant' not as a politician, or one who ever
asked or accepted office, or even expects
10. would advise about the following
as a general basis for platform; and 1
am satisfied the general movement now
going on with the farming interest, and
the combinations being made by them
under the name of "graBges," as the
best hope Of the people TO break down
monopolies and oppressive taxation and
bring about the great reforms OF eeono-
NV in our federal, State, municipal,
and county government, as well as to
fnduce a pToper economy in all our per-
sOnal expenses, and laOor-saVlng IN
yentions. The only hope of this country
is to make labor profitable. Ii We DO
this we dignity it, and make ii power
ful. The first duty of a statesman or
legislator is to advocate that system of
government and such laws as will ex-
tend the greatest amount of prosperity
and happiness to the greatest number Of
the subjects of his government. To
bring about this, men must lay aside
self and stand on the platform Of jus
tice and equity to all, ignoring class leg
islation. Let all laws be general. Let
any purpose be general, no exclusive
privileges, and then We can have no
monopOlies. Competition is the best
safeguard the people can have, and If no
man is allowed to have an exclusive
privilege we may have healthy eompe-
tytjon. Vote for no man, either for fed
er.N, State or municipal position, who
can not pledge himself to these princi-
Fhst-An laws must be general, even
and open TO everybody, and no exclusive
privileges.
Second-No class-legislation on any
subject.
Fourth-Reduced expenses of federal.
State, county and municipal govern
Third-A reduced judiciary and re-
duced expenses in every department of
Fourtb-Abolish all jury trials in pet
tv cases, unless demanded by one or the
other party, in which case the party de-
n1anding jury shall pay the expense OF
Fifth-Individually, am opposed to
suy public officer giving bond. LII he
il fit for the Office, he should not be re-
ouired to give security, as that often re-
suits in a security of feeling by the peo-
ple and a want OF watchfulness, ana
often to the ruin of innocent men who
h ave to pay the penalty OF the guilty.
"A axe it the duty Of the courts OF corpo-
rat ions to fix place Of deposit for all
nubl &c funds. Fix it as duty OF any
man collecting public moneys that he
eball rray into this depository weekly
or monthly and have committee who
shall see shat this is done. Have this
sattlement published monthly, that the
,1oonle who elect him can know what
he has coll scted and paid in. Make it
forfsiture of Office to fail to do
This and a % enitentiary Offense to mis-
o-,TIv one dollar of trust funds to
~ ou,n use. On allow it to be used for
CIV other purpo Sc but the legitimate one
e. which If was collected of the people,
a,,d nv word for it, We will have more
,,1onev and fewer Sefalcations, than Un-
dor the present system. Let the people
Of every class, who want an honest and
saithfui economical government IN all
r,nbIie affairs, band themselves togeth-
sT: ignore politics, and ignore men VIII who
saek office; declare for reform; deter
1roiDad ia have reform, and cheaper gov
ernment. cheaper courts, and fewer Of
So and lower taxes, and against mo-
nonoles. and against stealing, and nom-
;osts no man for office who seeks 1t, but
one of whom it can be said by sll, "He
Is honest-he is qualified" Yours Truly,