Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-07-14

] Inc DCSl element III Tue l.tiu'4i'dh l''4tl
the men Of intelligence, Of character, and
of conscience. who have 50 distinctly assert
ed their control in the Republican conyen-
tons this year-haye not intended or expect
el to be easily satisfied They wanted, first,
an VI cquiyocaI declaration from the Ma
tional Convention, on certain vital points
The Convention met, and before it made a
nomination adopted platform which on the
money question demands that the promise
Of the Government to its creditors 'be full
filed ly continuous and steady progress to
specie PAYMENTS Ca the question Of re
form Of the Civil Service. it declares that
"Senators and Representatives, who may be
! Judges and accusers. should not dictate ap-
/ pointments to Office and further that
1.-THE invariable rule for appointments should
have reference to the honesty, fidelity, and
capacity Of appointees, giving to the party
in power those places where harmony and
yigor Of administration require its policy 10
be represented, but permitting all others to
be filed by persons selected with sole refer
ence to efficiency of the public service. 1t
declared the duty of holding all public Off
GERS to rigid responsibility, and engaged
that the prosecution and punishment Of all
who 5otray official trusts shall be speedy,
thorough and unsparing and it also favored
an amendment to the Constitution of the
United States iorbidding the application Of
any public funds or property to any school or
institution under sectarian control.
The platform thus commends itself and
the party to the support OF all who desire
genuine honest money, genuine reform and
elevation Of the public service.
BIT as of more consequence than the plat
form, the conscience Republicans" demand
ed a nan who should be a platform in him
self, one whose high character, pure record
aud recognized capacity, should give the
strongest guaranty against any repetition Of
the corruption and disgraces of the recent
past. The Convention presented to them
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, and all but the
most captious were satisfied. 4 few have
waited to see hi letter Of aceeptanee-to
know from himself what was his standard
of duty, and what lis pledges to those who
have made him their standard bearer, and to
the country-to learn how boldly and square
ly he would be willing to declare his honest
purposes Gov. Hayes's letter of accept
ance is frank and unequivocating enough to
satisfy the most exactiug patriot. lie is
for reform of the Civil Service thorough,
radical, COMPLETE" and if elected be will
employ all constitutional power vested in the
Executive to establish such reform. lie is
for resumption at the earliest possible
moment, and no steps backward. He
Is for unsectarian schools. for the
speedy, thorough and unsparing punishment
of unfaithful officials for simplicity and
frugality in public and private affairs, for
restoration of harmony between the sections
under the constitution and the law. On all
these points his letter is clear and satisfac-
tory. On one point Gov Hayes goes farther
than anybody has asked or expected. He
records his "infexible purpose, " if elected,
not to become candidate for reelection
But if he is elected, as we have no doubt
be viii be, and proves to be all that is ex-
pected, the people may desire, and the good
of the country require, the reelection of one
so upright, trusty and capable, so unwilling
to use the patronage of his Office for any IN
worthy purpose. Should, however, the con-
stitution be amended-as many wise men
desire to have it-so as to extend the Presi-
dents term Of Office to six years, and make
him ineligible to reelection, this purpose of
his will make no trouble.
So thrice three cheers for our upright,
honest, clear-headed, outspoken Republican
nominee, who will have from November till
March to work into his inaugural the ideas
he so clearly expresses in his letter OF ac-
certance.