The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-05
DEMOCRACY.
CONTINUED FROM FIFTH PAGE.


The St. LOUIS platform denounces the failure Tor
eleven years 10 make good the promise OF the legal
tender notes 1t denounccs the omission to accumu-
late any for their redemption" 1t denounccs
the conduct (which, during eleven years OF peace has
made no advances toward resumption, no pre-
parations for resumption, but instead has OBJ
structed resumption by wasting our resources
and exhausting all surplus ncome and,
while processing TO intend speedy return to specie
payments has annually enacted fresh hindrances
thereto" And having first denounced the barren
ness OF tho promise OF day OF resumption, next
dcnounces that barren promise "hindrance" to re-
SUMPTION 1t then demands its repeal and also demands
The establishment OF "a judcious system OF prepare
ton' for resumption 1t cannot be doubted that tho
substitution of IA system of preparation without
The promise of day, for tho worthless promise OF
day without "a system OF preparation would be the
gain of the substance OF resumption in exchange for
Its shadow
Nor Is the denunciation unmertcd of that improvi-
dence which, In the eleven since the peace has
consumed 81 800 900 600, and yet could not afford to
give the people sound and stable currency Two and
half per cent the expenditures OF these eleven
years. or even less, would have provided all the add
tional coin neediul to resumption.
RELIEF BUSINESS DISTRESS
The distress now felt by the people In all their bust
ness and industries though II has its principal cause in
Ihc waste OF capital by tho falso
policies OF government has been greatly aggravated
by the mismanagement OF the currency. Uncertainty
Is tho prolific parent of mischicfs in all business
Never It's evils more felt than now. Men do
aothing because they unable to make any cacua-
lions on which they safely rely. They undertake
nothing because they fear a loss everything they
would attempt They stop and wait. The merchant
dares not buy for the future consumption
OF his customers The manufacturer dares
not mako fabrics which may not refund
his outlay Hc shuts his factory and discharges his
workmcn Capitalists cannot lend money security
they consider safe, and their funds lie almost without
interest Men OF enterprise who have credit,
rites 10 pledge, will not borrow. Consumption has
fallen below the natural limits of reasonable economy
Prices OF many things under the range in frugal
specie paying times before the civil war Vast
Of currency lie in tho banks unused A year and
half ago the legal tenders their largest volume
and the Sl2 000 900 retired have been replaced
by fresh OF $4,000, 900 OF bank notes In the
meantime the banks have been surrendcring about
$4,000, 900 month, because they cannot find profit
iblc use for many of their notes
The public mind will no longer accept shams 1t has
suffered enough from illusions. An insincere policy
increases distrust An unstable policy increases
certainty. The people need to know that the govern
mcnt is moving in the direction of ultimate safety aud
safe and conservative methods which will be to
nnici &, sacrifice the business OF the country.
Then the Inspiration OF hope and we'll founded
6dencc will hasten the restoring processes OF nature
and prosperity will begin TO return
The St Louis Convention concludes its expression in
regard to the currency by declaration OF its convc.
hons the practical results Of the system prepa-
fatons demands 1t says: ''We believe such sys.
TEN, well devised, and, above all. inrus,cd
10 competent hands for execution creating Mt
no tins an artificial scarcity OF currency,
and at time alarming the public mind
into a withdrawal of that vasicr ma
chincry of credit by which ninc,y-Hvc per
cent Of all business transactions pcriormcd-a sys
tenn open, public and inspiring general confidence
would from the day o. It's adoption bring healing
its wings TO all narassed industries set in motion
tho wheels OF commerce, manufactures and the me-
ehanic arts restore employment TO labor and renew
In all its natural sources the prosperity OF the peo-
pie"
The government OF the United States In my opinion,
advance a resumption of specie payments
legal tender notes by gradual and safe processes tend
Ing relieve the present business distress II charged
by the people with the administration OF the Executive
Office should deem II duty to tho
powers with which IL has been or may be invested by
Congress and soonest conduct the country to
that beneGccnt result.
SERVICE REFORM.
The Convention justly allrms that reform is
snry the civil service necessary TO its publication
necessary its economy and its efficiency necessary
In order that the ordinary employment of tho public
business may not be "a prize fought for the ballot
box brief reward OF party zeal instead of posts OF
honor assigned Tor proved competency, and held for
fidelity in tho public employ" The Convention wisely
added that reform is necessary even more in tho
higher grades OF the public service. President, vico
President Judges, Senator's, Representatives Cabinet
officers these and all others in authority tho peo-
pies servants Their Offices not private per-
quiste they are public trust"
Two evils invest the official service of tho federal
government
One is the prevalent and dcmoralizing notion that
the r=c service exists hot for the business and benc
the whole people, but for the interest OF the Office
holders who truth but the servants OF the peo
pie Under the influence Of this pcrncious pub.
lie empoyr.nts have been multiplied the numbers OF
those gathered into the ranks of Office holders have
been steadily increased beyond any possible require
men, OF the public business, while ne1cency, pecula-
lon fraud and malversaton OF the public funds from
the high places OF power to tho lowest, have over
spread the whole service like cprosy.
The other evil is the organization of the Official class
into body OF political mcrcenarics, governing the
caucuscs and debating he nominations OF their own
party ana attempting TO carry the elections OF the
people By undue influence and by immense corruption
Iunis systematically collected from the salaries fees
OF Office holders Tho official class in other countries,
sometimes by It's own weight and sometimes in alliance
with the army has been able rule tho unorganizcd
masses even under universal suffrage Here, i, has
already grown into gigantic power capable OF sitting
the inspirations OF sound public opinion, aud OF re-
sisng an easy change Of administration, until mis-
government becomes ntolcrablc and public spirit has
been stung to the pitch Of civic revolution
The fire, step in reform is the elevation OF tho
standard by which the appointing power selects agents
to execute Official trusts Next IN importance con-
sccniious fidelity In tue exercise OF the authority to
hold TO account and displacc unrustworthy or In
capable subordnaes The public interest IN an honest
skiliul performance OF official must not be sacr