Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-07-08
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Gcation of the treaty with the Chinese En-
pjre. or such legislation by Congress, within
n constitutional limitation, as shall prevent
the further importation or immigration OF the
Monpolian race. Reform is necessary and
can never be effected but by making !. The con-
trolling issue Of the elections; lifting Il above
the two false issues with which the otice-hold-
ing class and the party in power seek to snio.
ther il; the false issue with which they would
rckindle sectarian strife In respect to the puo.
lie schools, of which the establishment and
support belongs exclusive to the several States,
and which the Democratic party has cherish
ed from their foundation, and resolved to
maintain without partialty or preferences for
any class, sect or creed, and without contribut-
ing from the treasury to any of the false Is
sues by which they seek to light anew the
diving embers of sectional hate between kin
dred peoples. once unnaturally estraDged, but
now reunited in one indiyisible Republic and
a common destiny.
Reform is necessary in the ciHl service
Experience proves that efficient, economical
conduct Of the government business IS not
possible its civil service be subject to change
at every election --be prize fought for at the
ballot box-be brief reward OF party zeal
instead of post of honor assigned for proved
competency and held for fidelity IN the public
employ; that the dispensing of patronage
should neither be a tax upon the time OF our
public men nor the Instrument OF their Gm-
bition. Here again professions ialsied in the
performance attest that the party in power
can work ont no practical or salutary reform
Reform is necessary even more in the higher
grades ofpublc service. President, Vice Presl-
dent, Judges, senators, representatives, Cabinet
oficers-thesea and all others in authority are the
people's servants. Their Offices are not pTi-
vate perquSite they are public trust.
When the annals Of this Republic show the
disgrace to and censure of Vice President
a late Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tives marketing his rulings as presiding OFF,
Ger three senator's profiting secretly by Their
votes as law makers five cbalrmen OF toe
leading committees OF the late House Of Rep
resentatives exposed in jobbery late SecIe-
tary of the Treasury forcing balances in the
public accounts; late Attorney General mis-
approprating public funds Secretary Of
the Navy enriched, or enricbing his friends by
percentages levied of the profits OF contrac-
tors with bis department; an ambassador &c
England ccnsured 10 diShonorable specull-
tion the Presidents private secretary barely
escaping conviction upon trial for guilty COM
plicity in frauds upon the revenue Secre,
tary of War impeached for high crimes and
confessed misdemeGnors, the demonstration is
complete that the first step in reform must be
the peoples choice of honest men from another
party, lest the disease Of one political organi-
zaion iniest the body polite, and thereby
making no change Of men or party, we cat
get no change of measures aud no reform.
All these abuses, wrongs and crimes, TIT
product of sixteen years ascendancy OF tn
Republican party, create necessity tor re
form confessed by Republicans themselves
/ but their reformers are voted down in conven
ton and displaced from the Cabinet. Th
/ party's mass Of honest votes is powcrless e
! resist the $4,000 Office holders-its lead
I ers and guides. Reform can only be bad b.
peaceful civic revolution. We demand
change of system, change Of Administration
change of parties, that We may have
change of members and of men.