The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-08-10

been surrendering about four millions
q month, because they cannot find
profitable use for so many of their
notes.. The public mind will no long
er accept shams. 1t has suffered
enough from illusions An insincere
policy increases distrust-an unstable
policy increases uncertainty. The
people need to know that the govern
ment is moving in the direction of ui-
tirnate safety and prosperity, aud that
it is doing SO through prudent, safe
and conservative methods which will
be sure to infiict no new sacrifice on
the business of the country. Then the
inspiration of new hope and we'll
founded confidence will hasten the re-
storing processes of nature, and pros
perity will begin TO return. .E
The st. Louis convention concludes
its expression in regard TO the curren-
cy by declaration of its convictions
as to the practical results OF the sys-
tenn of preparations it demands. 1t
says: "We believe such a system, W ell
devised, and, above all, intrusted to
competent hands for execution, Gre
ating at no time an artificial scarcity
OF currency and al no time alarming
the public mind into withdrawal OF
that vast machinery Of credit by which
95 per cent. of all business transac-
tions are performed a system open,
public and inspiring general conf
dence, would from the day OF its adOp-
ton, bring healing on its wings TO all
our harassed industries, SET in motion
the wheels of commerce, manufacture
and mechanic arts, restore employ
ment to labor and renew in all its nat
ural sources the prosperity of the peo-
ple."
The government of theU nitedStates,
in my opinion, can advance to re-
sumption of specie payments on its
legal tender notes by gradual and sale
processes, tending to relieve present
business distress. Ii charged by the
people with the administration of the
Executive Office, L should deem it a
duty SO to exercise the powers with
which it has been or may be invested
by Congress as best and soonest to
conduct to that beneficent result.
The convention justly affirms that
reform is necessary i'll civil servic
necessary tc its purificatiOn, necessary
to its economy and its efficiency, nee
essary in order that the ordinary en-
plOyment Of public business may moi
be prize fought for at the ballot-box
brief reward OF party zeal, instead OI
posts of honor assigned for proved
competency and held for fidelity ia
public employ. The convention wise
ly added that reform is necessary even
more in the higher grades OF publ.
service. President, Vice President
Judges, Senators, Representatives
Cabinet officers, these and all other,
in authority are not u private perquis
ite. They are public trust. Eve
evils infest the oilicia! service of tn,
Federal government one is the pre-
yalent and dcmOralizing notion iha
the public exists not 70: the business
aud benefit of the whole people, bu
| for the interest of Office holders, wht
are in truth but the servants of tn,
people. Under influence of this per
niciOus error public employment
have been multiplied, the number o
those gathered into the ranks OF office
holders have been steadily increased
beyond any possible requirement o
public business, while the inefiiciency
peculation, fraud and malversation o
public funds from high places of pow
er to the lowest have Overspread tn,
whole service like a leprosy. Th
other evil is the organization of th'
official class into body of politica
mercenaries, governing caucuses ant
debating the nominations of their owl
party, and attempting to carry tn
elections of the people by undue influ
ence and by immense corruption
frauds Systematically collected iron
the salaries and fees of office holders
The official class in other countries
sometimes by its own weight ant
sometimes in alliance with the army
masses even under universal suffrage
Here it has already grown into ri
ganlic power, capable OF sitting tn
inspirations OF sound pubic opinion
and OF resisting an easy change of ad
ministration, until misgovernmcnt be
comes intolerable, and public spiri
has been stung to the pitch OF a civi
revolution.
The first step in reform is the eleya
ton of the standard by which the ap
pointing power selects agents to exc
cute official trusts. Next in import
ance is a conscientious fidelity in tn,
exercise of the authority to hold to &C
count and displace untrustworthy o.
incapable su5ordinates. After thes,
immediate steps which will insure th.
exhibition OF better examples, we ma,
wisely go on to the abolition of uu
necessary offices, and finally to pa
tient, careful organization Of a better
civil service system, under tests when
ever practicable, of proved co,npeten
cy aud fidelity. While much may b,
accomplished by these methods, i
might encorage delusive expectation:
if withheld here the expression o
my conviction that no reform of civi
service in this country will be com
plete and permanent until its chic
magistrate is constituiiOnally disquali
fled for reelection, experience having
repeatedly exposed the fuiiiity OF self
imposed restrictions by candidates o.
ineumbents. Through this solemnity
only can he be efiectually delivcre,
from his greatest temptation to misus'
the power and patronage with wbic!
the Executive is necessarily charged,
Educated in the belief that it is tn,
first duty of citizen of the Republi,
to take his fair allotment OF care ant
trouble In public affairs, have fol
forty years, as private citizen, full
filed that duty. Though occupied il
an unusual degree during all that peri
cd with concerns of the government
have never acquired the habit of Off
cial life. When, year aud a half ago
l entered upon nv present trust il wa,
lii order to cDnsummate reforms tC
which had already devoted savera
of the best years of my life. Know
ing, as ! do, therefore. from fresh ex
perienee how great the difference i,
between gliding through an officia
routine and working out a reform OF
SYSTEMS and policies, it is impossible
for me 10 contemplate what lfecds t.
be done in Federal administrator,
without al anxious sense OF the diff
culties of the undertaking. 1T sum
moned BY the sufi'rages of my coun-