The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-08-09

specie on its legal tender notes by gradual and
saIe processes tending To relieve present ousi-
1 ess distress. IL charged by the people with
the adm .nisirati0n OF the executive office,
should deem IL duty so 10 exercise the pow
bV Con1r1 nish III ~ has been or may ne invested
Country TO that tent result The con-
vention Justly affirms that
REFORM Is NECESSARY IN THE CIVIL. SER
VICE;
necessary 10 its publication; necessary 10 It's
economy and its efficiency; necessary in order
that the ordinary employment OF the public
business may not be prize to fight for a. the
ballot box, reward of party zeal instead of
posts of honor assigned for proved competency
and held for fidelity In public employ. II
convention wisely added that reform is nee
esssry, even more in the higher grades OF
denI, vice president, judges, sena-
tors, representatives ana cabinet secretaries
Inese and all other pcsitions of authority are
trust. Two evils infess The official service of
the federal government. One is a p evalent
and demoratztng notion that the public SER
vice exists, not for the business and beneh OF
the hole people, but for interest OF the office
holders, who are in truth but the servants of
the people. Under influence OF this perni-
cious error, public employments have been
multiplied and the members Of those gathered
Into the ranks OF the office holders have
oeen steadily increased beyond any possible
requirement of business. while inefficiency
peculation, fraud. ma versation OF pub ic
funds. rom the high places of power 10 tie
leprosy- The other evil is the ORGANIZATION
OF the official cas- into a body OF political
mercenaries, governing the caucuses aud Die
lating the nominations of their own party.
and attempting to carry the cleo
uons OF the people Dy undue influence,
oy immense corruption funds, Systematically
collected from the salaries and fees of Uffice-
holde s. The official class In other countries,
sometimes by its ogu weight, and sometimes
W Ufth a hoO haaR, ak.fa -,
role the unorganized masses, even under uni
Versal suf' ag Here il has already
GROWN INTO A GIGANTIC PJwER
capable of sitting the inspirations of a sound
public opinion, aud of resisting an easy
change OF administration, until the misgov-
eminent becomes fntolerabIe and the public
spirit has been stung 10 the pitch of a strong
letter. The first step in reform is the tleva-
tion of the standard by which the appointing
power selects agents to execute the trusts
Next in Importance is a conscientious
ndeltty In tue exercise Of authority
to hold to account aud dsplace
nntiustWoothy or incapabe subordinates.
Inc puollc interest in an honest and skill1ul
performance of official trust must not be sac
rlnced 10 the use OF the incumbents. Alter
these immediate STEPS which will ensure the
exhlolllon OF be- ter examples, we may wisely
go on 10 the sbolish1ng OF unnecessary offices,
aud final y to he patient and ctrefui OF gani-
zation o better civil service system under
tests, Wherever practicable, OF proved compe-
tency and nd lity. While much may b . C.
complished oy these m TO DDS, il might encour-
age ueiusive exusctatiOas III with.
neld an explosion OF my cOnvic-
country will be comple'e ami permanent
until It's chief magistrate Is disqualified for re-
election. KIP srience has repeatedly eX posed
The ts'ity OF sel;-imp. sed restrictions by
candidates or incumbents Through this
solemnity only can be be effectuaIly delivered
from his greatest temptation to misuse the
power and patrOuake With which the execu-
tive Is necessarily CHARGED. Educats in the
belief that IL is the FIRST duty of a citizen OF
and troub e in pub ic affairs, have for fort,
that duty, though occupied in an unusual
government, 1 have never acquired the
hsbtl of official life. When a year and a ha
ago entered ON my present trusts, it was in
devoted several of the best years OF my life
knowipg as l do, Therefore, from fresh ex-
gil ing through an Official routine and work.
ing out reform OF systems and policies, it is
pIate Hba, fo5 needs me 6s ICON o0ntem
the federal administration without an
anxious sense OF the difficu ties OF the under.
taking. Ifsummoned by the suffrages OF my
deavOr, with Gods help, TO be an efficient
SAMUEL ]. TiLDEN.
To Gen. John A. McClernand, chairman;
Gen: w. B. FIaDklin, the Hon. J. j. Abbott
the Hon. VI. Spannhorst, the Hop. ii. j.
Reoheld, The Hon. +. =. Lyon and others of
the committee.
BENDRICKS'S LETTER
IN PERFECT ACCORD WITH BIS COL
LEAGOE THE RESUMPTION CLAUSE
MUST BE REPEALRD-AND SPECIE PAY
MENT REACHED NATURALLY-THE DE-
MAND FOR REFoRM-oTHER POINTS IN
THE PLATFORM.