Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-08-07


compulsory resumption, for which no prepara-
ton has been made, and without any assurance
that it would be practicable. The repeal of that
clause is necessary that the natural operation of
the financial laws may be restored, that the basi-
OF the country may be relieved from its dis
turbing and depressing influences, and that re-
turn to specie payments may be facilitated by the
substitution Of wise and more prudent legislation,
which shall mainly rely on a ladlclous system OF
public economies and efficient retrenchments, and,
above all. the promotion Of prosperity in all the
industries fthe people. do not understand the
repeal OF the resumption clause of the act OF 1879
to be backward step IN our return to specie pay
ments, but the recovery of false step, and though
the repeal may for time be prevented, yet the
determination of the democratic party on this sub
ject has been distinctly declared. There
should be no hndrances put in the way of return
to specie payments. "As such hindrance, says
the platform Of the St. Louis convention, 1--WE de-
nounce the resumption clause of the act of lS15
and demand its rcpeal." l thoroughly believe
that by public economy, by official retrenchment
and by wise finance, enabling us to accumulate
the precious metals, resumption at an carly period
IS possible without producing an artificial scaicity
Of currency or disturbing public or commercial
credit, and that these reforms, together with the
restoration oil pure government, will restore gen
eral confidence, encourage the useful investment
of capital. furnish employment to labor and re-
evc the country from the paralysis OF hard times
With the industries of the people there have been
frequent interferences. Our platform truly says
subsidize few. Our commerce has been degrad-
cd to an inferior position on the high seas; man
ufactufes have been diminished: agriculture has
been embarrassed, and the distress OF the indus
trial classes demands that these things shall be re-
formed. The burdens OF the people must also be
lghtsned by great change in our system OF pub
lie expenses. The proflIgate expenditures which
increased taxation from 50 per capita in 1860, TO
SIS in 1870. tells its own story OF our need OF re-
form.
FOREIGN AFFAIRs-THE CooLIE TRADE.
Our treaties With foreign powers should also be
revised and amended, in far as they leave clti-
zcns of foreign birth in any particular less secure
in any country earth than they would be II
they had been born upon our own SOIL. And the
iniqutous coolie system which, through the agency
of wealthy companies, imports Chinese bondsmen N
and establishes species OF slavery, and interieres
with the Just rewards of labor on our Pdcih c
coast, should be utterly abolished
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In the reform of our civil service most heartily
endorse that section of the platform whicn de-
clares that the civil service ought not to nc sup
icet to change at every eleciou and that 1t ought
not to be made the "brief reward of party zeal,
but ought to be a reward for proved competency
and held for fidelity in the public employ. hope
never again to see the cruel and remorseless pro-
scrption for political opinions which has disgraced
the administration of the last eight years. Bad as
the civil service Is. as all men know, II mas
some men Of tried integrity and proved abiiity
Such men, and such men only, should be retained
in office, but no man should be retained on any
considerations who has prostitued his oitcc TO the
purposes of partisan intimidation or compulslon'
or who has furnished money to corrupt the elec-
tions. This is done and has been done in almost
every county of the land. 1t is blight upon the
morals Of the country, and ought to be reformed
THE scHooLs-sEcrIoNAL CONTENTIOUS
OF sectional contentious and in respect to our
common schools have only this to say That IN
iu1y mi n ms
our schools in political or sectarian controversy Is
an enemy to the schools. The common schools
safer under the protecting care OF all the peo'
| pie than under the control OF any party or sect
/ There must be neither division nor misappropra.
ton of the funds for the II support. Likewise
regard the man who would arouse or foster sec
| tional animosities and antagonlsms among his
countrymen dangerous enemy to ms country
An the people must be made to feel and know
that once more there is established a purpose and
policy under which all the citizens, OF every con-
dtion, and color will be secure In the enjoy
Inent of whatever rights the constitution and the
| laws declare or recognize, and that in any con-
| troversy that may arise the government Is not
partisan but, within its constitutional authority,
| the just and powerful guardian OF the rights and
safety of all. The strife between the sections and
between races will cease as soon as the power iot
evil i, taken away from party that makes polti'
| cal gain out of scenes Of violence and bloodshed
| and the constitutional authority is placed IN the
| hands of men whose political welfare requires
that peace and goou ofder SNAIL DC preserved eF-
| erywhere.
| GOVERNOR TILDEN COMMENDED.
1t will he seen, gentlemen, that am in entire
accord with the platform of the convention by
which have been nominated as candidate ioi
the office of Vice President of the United States
| Permit me, in conclusion, to express my satlsiac'
ton at being associated with candidate for the
Presidency, who is first among his equals az rep
resentative of the spirit and of the achievements
/ of reform. In his official career, as the execu'
tive of the great State of New York, he has in a
comparatively short period reformed the public
service and reduced the public burdens so as tc
have earned at the gratitude Of his State and
the admiration of the country The people know
him to be strongly in earnest. He has shown
himself to be possessed Of powers and qualities
which fit him in an eminent degree for the grea
work of reformation which this country now
needs; and if he shall be chosen by the people to
the high office of President of the United States
believe the day Of his Inauguration will be the
beginning of new era of peace, purity and pros
perity in all departments of our government.
am, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant
THOMAS A. HENDRICKS.
To the Hon. John A. McClernsnd, chairman, ano
others of the committee of the national demo
cratic convention.