The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-10-28
Morris, Thursday, Oct 20, 1876.

Our Government being q representative
Democracy, may, think, be properly com
pared to a corporation, IN which each citi
zen is a share holder. Instituted for tn,
purpose of protecting all IN their nstura
rights by the pure and impartial admins
tration of Justice, those chosen to make
and administer tic 1ssxS b>iag nfcFT..y
directors Of this corporation the agents
for the time being Of the citizen to define
into law the collected will Of their princi-
pals, it is incumbent on those occupying
places of public trust to carefully guard,
and faithfully represent, the rights and in
terests of those for whom they act.
Now, every voter likewise acts in a
representative capacity when he casts his
ballot. The husband and father represents
his wife, daughters and minor sons; and le
young man represents his mother, sisters
and minor brothers. together with all the
non-voting classes. Every voter is then
morally bound to exercise the elective
franchise with due reference to the rights
and interests Of those for whom he acts
He has no more right to allow personal
likes and dishkes, or party prejudiees to
influence his action than the party for
whom he votes has to make use Of his
position for his personal interests.
Believing as do, that it is the duty Of
all persons in places OF public trust, to
render account Of the manner in which
they have discharged the trust committed
to their keeping and Of those asking the
sufrages of the people for any place Of
public trust, to make known in the fullest
and clearest way possible their views and
opinions upon all material questions with
which they may have to deal.
Now, having been chosen by the people
Of TINS district to represent their interest
IN the national legislature, tits due them
that | should give account of the manner
in which | have 50 far discharged that
trust This becomes the more imperative
in view of the fact that ! am candidate
for reelection. As doubtless is known to
most Of you, was elected as an indepen-
dent Being free from the restraints of
party discipline, and at liberty to act and
vote upon all measures, according to my
for the government Otamy action. to work
and vote for all measures looking to re-
trenchment IN expenditures, and reform
in the administration Of the public service,
when in my Judgment the efficiency of the
service would not be impaired thereby,
without regard by whom, Or by what party
proposed or advocated.
The late session Of congress vas IN many
respects an exceptional one, being compus-
ed more largely Of new members than any
former one and pledged to the maugera-
tion Of more economical administration
of the publicservice, they felt that s Vas
obligatory Oh them to enquire into all dc
partInents of governmental affairs. 1t is
objected by some that the investigations
were prosecuted beyond the bounds Of
propriety, for mere partizan purposes. BE
that as it may, so far as they were made
by the standing committees II the House,
they were, in my judgment, emlnently right
and proper 1t is not only the privilege,
but it is the imperative duty Of congress to
enquire into the expenditures in all the
various departments Of the public service;
as much SO, as it is for the board Of super
visors to examine the accounts Of the
Treasurer and other County officers. No
public officer however high, has a right to
object to a thorough investigation into
the manner in which he has discharged the
trust committed to his keeping.
That may have in some cases erred in
judgment, and others voted under misap-
prehension Of the practical effect Of meas
ures may be true do however claim to
have acted and voted according 10 my con
victions Of right and duty, and endeavored
to faithfully keep all the pledges made
during my former canvass in relation to
financial, civil service, and other reforms.
And as time and circumstances, have hut
served to deepen the conviction in my
mind of the correctness of these reforms,
| shall, if reelected, continue to advocate,
and labor for their adoption.
AS an independent, and the ques-
tions now before the country being Of an
eminently practical nature, shall treat
them from strictly business stand point
SOUTHERN SITUATION.
Among the questions discussed IN the
present canvass are the relations existing
between the people Of the Northern
and Southern portions Of the Union.
Without entering at length upon the
discussion Of this vexed question, | will
say that | canrot but believe that
much of the difficulty IN the way
Of its proper and satisfactory adjustment
arises from a misunderstanding of the real
intentions and purposes of the great ma
iority of the people Iof the two sections
The opinions Of the masses are, to great
extent, formed by what is said by partisan
newspapers and extremists on both sides
and which, think, does not reflect tn,
real sentiments of majority Of th'
people.
After improving all the opportunitie
offered for ascertaining the real views 0
the Southern members respecting tn
situation, have reached the conclusion
that, while there are those whom ! do no
regard as accepting the situation heartily
am Of the opinion that their number
comparatively small, and their infinenc
rapidly waning. As a rule, found thi
Al. ..lo of he ,oanaxr rNouror