The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-08-10
Letters OF Acceptance OF the
Democratic Nominees.

Gov. Tilden's letter Of acceptance of
the nomination by the Democratic Ma
tional Convention, for the office of
President of the United States, is dated
at Albany, n. Y, July 81, and is quite
a lengthy document, in which he makes
an exhaustive review of the financial
question, and declares that contraction
of the currency is not necessary to Sc
cure a resumption Of specie payments,
which alone are the only basis Of en-
during prosperity; he calls for reform
in the administration of the Govern.
ment, and points out how, in his opin-
ion, the change is to be accomplished,
and gives a fall endorsement of the
platform adopted at St. Louis. He
says:
The Convention before making its nomination
adopted n declaration Of principles, which as n
whole seems to me a wise exposition of the ne
~cessities Of our country and Of reforms needed to
bring back the Government to II. true functions
To restore purity Of administration and to renew
the prosperity OF the people. But ONE of these
reforms are so urgent that they claim more than n
passing approval The necessity Of refors in
wv 'Nsh, VI fuShhS- N>fNhsts SNsht
and municipal, and In modes of Federal taxa.
ZION, i~ustiies all the prominence given to
IN the declarations Of the 81: Louis
ness and industries of the people, which Ia de.
priving labor of its employment and carrying
want into SO many homes has its principal cause
in excessive governmental corruption, corrup.
ton under illusions Of auspicious prosperity en-.
gendered by false policies OF the Federal Govern.
ment, a waste OF capital has been going on ever
universal disaster. The Federal taxes OF the last
eleven years reach the gigantic sum OF $780,.
90 900. Local taxation has amounted to two.
thirds as much more. The vast aggregate 10 not
less than s7.5Oo,0o GOO.
After a general review of the Federal
Indebtedness, the Administration Of the
Republican party, and the operation of
the iinacial system, he expresses the
opinion that the Government of the
United States al advance to a resump-
ton of specie payments to its legal ten
der notes by gradual and safe process
tending to relieve present business dis
tress, by u reduction Of the expenses of
the Government below its income, and
concludes by saying:
THE FIRST sTEP IN REFORM
Ia the elevation of the standard by W hich The
| appointing power selects agents to execute off
cial trusts. Next in Importance 10 n %conscien.
tiOus fidelity in the exercise of authority to hold
To account and displace untrustworthy or inca
pable subordinates. The public interest in an
honest, skillful performance Of Official trusts
must not be sacrificed to the use Of incumbents.
After these immediate steps. which will insure
an exhibition Of better examples, we may wisely
go on to the abolishing Of un.
the patient, careful organization Of a better civil.
service system under tests wherever practicable
of proved competency and fidelity. While much
might be accomplished by these methods, ii
might encourage delusive expectiOns II l with.
held hero the expression of my conviction that
no reform Of the civil service In this country will
be complete and permanent until it's chief magls
trate is constitutionally disqualified for re- cleo.
ton, experience having repeatedly exposed the
futility of e lf-imposed restrictions by candi
only can he be efectually delivered from his
greatest temptation to misuse the power and
patronage with which the Executive Is necessa-
rily charged. Educated in the belief that IL
is the fret duty Of a citizen Of the Republic To
take his fair allotment of care and trouble In pub.
lie affairs, | have for forty years as a private
citizen fulfilled that nuty. Though occupied in
an unusual degree during all that period with
concerns of the Government, l have never &C.
quired the habit of Official life. when a year and
"A half ago | entered upon my present trusts /,
was in order TO consummate reforms to which
had already devoted several OF the best years OF
my life. Knowing as do, therefore. from
tween gliding through an official routine and
working out a reform OF systems and policies. II
Is impossible for me to contem Plat" what need.
an anxious sense of the difficulties OF the under.
taking.
men to attempt this work, l shall cndeavOr, with
Gods help, to be the efficient instrument of theil
will.
lSignedl AMUEL j. TILDES.
To zen. John A. McClenand, Chairman; Gen.
w Is. Franklin, Hon. j. j.. Abbott, Hon. II.
J. Spaunhorst, Hon. IL. j.. Redheld, Hon. +.