The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-02
BRIsTOW AND REFORM.
An Encyolical Letter from tho Boston Bris
tow Club.

An EncycllChl L6tter from Lno boston BITS
tow Club.
The Bristow club had its origin in the
demand, so generally felt, that the reform
movement ought to be organized.
Everybody recognizes the need of re-
form. The state of our politics has never
been 30 bad as 1t Is now. Corrupt men
control to dangerous extent the working
OF our political parties, and even the high
est administrative functions of the govern
ment are seriously affected by the vices of
the age. A member of the cabinet IS now
standing his trial by impeachment at the
bar of the senate. "Rlngs' of miserable,
sef-seeking, greedy politicians control
more than one of our large cities. Associ-
atoms for cheating the government out of
millions of taxes, to whose schemes Off
Gals of the government lend themselves,
have become so formidable that they well
nigh defy even the strongest assaults. Nor
is this all. The federal oflice-holders are
trained to work for their political chiefs,
and in every election, state as well as ma
tional, their well drilled ranks are power
which ia hostile to the freedom of our in
siitutions. Obedient to orders, sinking
their own individual preferences, they
are always to be found IN full
force at the primary meetings, where they
rob the citizen of his privilege of selecting
HE candidates, and at the polls where their
numbers tell, frequently with crushing eff
feet. in contests where, but for them, the
result would be in accordance with the en-
lightened opinion of the public. The state
of things is intolerable, and must be stop
ped. But the Bristow club goes one step
further.
We believe that there must be n leader
in every movement and we believe that
in Secretary Bristow we have found the
leader which this reform movement de-
mands. We believe, AT oil events, that the
time to decide on leader has come.
We believe that the people should now
indicate their preference, in order tina,
that their delegates at Cincinnati may ratify
| it, and place in nomination those mer
| whom the sentiment of the American ma
ton has approved. And the time is short
barely six weeks. IT it is for the peopl,
to select as their candidate for the presi
dency q man who il to lead this reform
the man must be decided Oh at once.
Now, then, we believe that Benjamin
Helm Bristow is the man to lead this grea
movement. We point with pride to hi
loyaly, so conspicuous during the war t.
his courage, both physical and moral, ex
hibited of the field of battle and in the NJ
less trying assault upon fraud and corrup
ton as shown in the "whisky ring TO hi
conduct "a u citizen, u professional man
and an officer of the government, Away
free from selfish aims, and marked by al
unfalterng and efficient discharge of publ
duty. We believe that he has the sort o
character which we need IN this emer
gency: that he is not only a man upon WHOM
the deteriorating influences of public lf,
have had no effect, who has passed clear
and pure through the manifold temptation
Of political career but that he is NOR
than this and better than this--that he
determined to make war upon the syster
which makes this political corruption pos
sible, and to turn aside from no difficulty
however formidable, to hesitate ~ no task
however gigantic, until the work b
thoroughly accomplished.
We believe that he has the reform Of tn
civil service thoroughly at heart, ard tina,
were he elected president, he would carr
1t through. We know that the best friend
of reform throughout the land are in accor
with him, and trust him. We believe ths
the people are everywhere looking for sue
a man as he is--strong. fearless, incorrup
ible, active, efficient, full of public spiri
devoted to duty. And we believe, finally
that the people will recognize in him til
man they need.
In order, therefore, To give effect to OF
intentions and opinions, we have forme
the Brstow club, and we urge all who b
! lieve with us not to be content with siler
assent, but to organize similar bodies I
, hold public meetings, and to promulgat
their opinions boldly and zealously, thi
those in possession and control of the r
publican party may recognize that the pc,
, pie have spoken.
a BY order of the executive committee.
JOHN G. ROPES, President.
Bristow Club, Boston, 20 School stree