The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-09-14
REFORM! REFORM !!

The need for administrative Re-
form, and the conviction that it must
come through the Democratic party,
grows stronger and stronger day by
day. The record of Gov. TILDEN is
identified with the cause of reform,
and for that reason he was nominal
ed. Administrative reform has no
place in the affections of the Hayes
Grant party, and the people who have
been such long and patient sufferers
are too intelligent not to comprehend
this fact, or to be influenced by the
~scnseless cry of "rebel' and "trai-
tor" from Grants office -holding
thieves and robbers. The policy Of
the Hayes administration would be
the same; not a single pledge has
been given that indicates q purpose
to drive out the horde of thieves who
to-day are rioting upon public plum
der, and who for years have been en-
gagged in the same infamous work.
MI. Hayes may be 8 very honest
man. His intentions may be upright
and honorable. In his secret heart
he may have already resolved that
come what may, he will, ~ifelected, be
the President of the people and not
of a party. Such resolves are well
enough in their way, but they are
generally the indices of a mind that
does not possess the self-poise re-
quired for a position SO responsible
as that of Chief Magistracy of the
Union. The choice of Hayes was
cunningly devised. Morton. Conk-
ling and Cameron, who are the con-
trolling spirits of the Administration
to-day, well knew that their hold up
on the new Administration in the
event of the success of the Republi-
can party, consisted in their ability
to secure as their nominee a medic
ere man-one of the calibre ofHayes,
who could be moulded to their pur-
pose and made a puppet in their
hands. Blaine was not of that char
acter. He was not only their peer
but their master in all that consti-
tutes political cunning and ~intellec-
tual strength. He was not n ofthe
plastic order. The prize for which
so many were contending could, at
any moment, have been cast in the
lap of Blaine, but to have done that
would have been to dethrone the tri-
umvirate and render its members
mere secondary affairs. With Hayes
the case was entirely different. Hav-
ing no will of his own, without expe-
rience in matters pertaining to the
office, and ready to be guided and
governed by the older heads of the
present corrupt administration, the
bargain was struck, and Grant seal
ed it with the promise of the full
support Of his Administration.
Had there been an honest desire
for Reform in the Republican party,
why was not the nomination given to
Bristow, who, solitary and alone, OF
all the heads of departments, had
shown a disposition to break up the
prevailing rascality and corruption
The honest and independent portion
of the Republican party looked tc
him as their only hope. He was cast
aside as unfit material for politicians
use, and Mr.. Hayes taken by the
hand. Now what will the Laboring
men, the honest, independent and
robbed voters of the Republican par
ty do? Can they consistently sup
port Hayes2 Have they any assur
ance that, in the event fthe success
of Mr. Hayes there will be any change
in the present ruinous and corrupt
policy of the Administration? Have
they any hope of the Reform they art
demanding? None whatever.