The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-08-06

do nothing, because they are unable to |
make any calculations on which they |
can safely rely. They undertake moth |
ing, because they fear loss in everything |
they would attempt. They stop and |
wait The merchant dares not buy for |
future consumption of his customers. |
The manufacturer dare not make fabrics |
which may not refund his outlay. He
shuts his factory and discharges
his workmen. Capitalists can
not lend on security they
consider safe, and their funds lie al.
most without interest. Men of enter
prise who have credit, or securities to
pledge. will not borrow. Consumption
has fallen below the natural limits of
reasonable economy. The prices OF
many things are under their range ia
frugal, specie-payment times before the
civil war. Vast masses of currency lie
in banks, unused. A year and half ago
legal tenders were at their largest volume,
and the Sl2,000,000 since retired has
been replaced by fresh issues OF $15,000,-
600 OF bank notes. In the meantime the
banks have been surrendering about
81 600, 000 month because they can not
find a profitable use tor so many of their
notes, and the public mind will no
longer accept shame. 1t has suffered
enough from illusions. An insincere
policy increases distrust. An unstable
policy increases uncertainty. The peo-
pie need to know that the government is
moving in the direction OF ultimate
safety and prosperity, and that 1t is do
ing so through prudent. safe and conser-
vative methods, which will he sure to in
iict no new sacrifice on the business OF
the country. Then the inspiration OF a
new hope and well founded confidence
will hasten the restoring process of
nature, aud prosperity will begin TO re-
turn.
The 1t. Louis convention concludes its
expression in regard to currency, by
declaration OF its convictions a. to the
practical results of the system OF the
preparations it demands. 1t says ave
believe such "a system well devised, and
above all, intrusted To competent hands
for execution, creating at no time an ar
tiiicial scarcity of currency, and at no
time alarming the public mind into a
withdrawal OF that vastcr machine OF
credit, by which % per cent of all busi-
ness transactions are performed, a sys-
TEN open, public and inspiring general
confidence from the day OF its adoption,
bringing healing on its wings to all our
harassed industries set In motion. wheels
of commerce., manufacturers and me
chanic art, restore employment to labor,
and renew in all lis natural sources the
prosperity of the people
The government of the United States.
in Any opinion, can advance to a rcsump-
ton OF specie payments on its legal ten
der notes by gradual and safe processes,
49, hn htt. D.
distress. II charged by the people with
the administration OF the executive office,
| should deem it q duty so 10 exercise
the powers with which it has been or
may be invested by congress as best and
soonest TO conduct the country TO that
! benclicent result.
The convention justly afiirms that re-
| form il necessary in the civil service, nee
essary to its publication, necessary TO its
economy aud its efficiency, necessary in
| order that the ordinary employment OF
| public business may not be prize fought
| for at the ballot box, a relief of party
zeal, instead of posts OF honor assigned
| tor proved competency and held tor fl
deity in public employ. The conyen.
] ton wisely added that reform Is neces
sary even more in higher grades of III,
public service, president yice-president
judges, senators, representatives. cabi
net ofiicers-these, and all others in au
thority, are not private prerequisite
| they are public trust. Two evils infesI
the official service OF the federal govern
ment. One is the prevalent and demora
liking notion that the public service eX
lists, not tor the business and benefit %
the whole people, but for the interest o.
ofiice-holders, who are, in truth, but ser
wants OF the people. Under the influenc,
OF this pernicious error, public employ
ments have been multiplied, the numbers
of those gathered into the ranks of Office
holders have been steadily increased be
You'd any possible requirement of public
business, while inefiiciency, peculation
fraud and malversation Of the publ,
funds from the highest places Of power
to the lowest, have overspread tn,
whole service like leprosy. The
other evil j. the organiZa
ton of the official class into body OF pc
| litical mercenaries governing caucuses
and debating the nominations OF theiI
own party, and attempting to carry cleo
tions OF the people by undue influence
and by immense corruption funds sys
tematically collected from the salaries OF
office holders. The official class in
other countries, sometimes by its own
| Wight, anu sOuittlliitS III dlildlICt Will
the army, has been able TO rule the UNI
| organized masses, even universal suf.
frage. Here it has already grown into a
gigantic power capable of sitting
the inspirations of a sound public opin.
ion and Of resisting IN easy change OF
administrations, until msgoverninent
becomes intOlerable and public spirit has
been stung TO the pitch Of a..strong revolu
| ton. The first step in reform is the ele
walton of the standard by which the ap
| pointing power selects agents 10 execute
official trusts, Next in importance is {
conscientious fidelity in the exercise o.
| authority TO hold TO account and displacl
Enthusiastically or incapable subordi
mates. The public interest in an honest
and skllliul performance OF otliciel trus
| must not be sacrificed to the use of in
| cumbents. After these immediate steps
which will insure the exhibition OF better
examples, we may wisely 90 on to tn,
abDlishing OF unnecessary offices, ant
finally to the patient, careful orgaHiZa
ton of II better civil service system, undo
tests. wherever practicable Of prove,
competency and fidelity.
While much may be accomplished By
these methods, il might encourage de-
| lusiyc expectations ii withheld here
the expression Of my conviction that nc
reform Of the civil service in this country
will be complete and permanent until it,
chief magistrate Is cOnstitutionally dis
| qualified tor reelection. Experience
having repeatedly exposed the futility o
selt-lmposed restrictions by candidates
or incumbents. Through this solemnity
only can he be eilectually delivered from
ms greatest temptation TO misuse tn,
power and patronage with which the eX