The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-08-18
REFORMS NEEDED.

SNItNllDl Va IL SDNCI illilClt NOlHll llbANl vi Clt-
mcnts entirely new, aud pledged to radical
reform.
REFORMS NEEDED.
The irsLiwork ufreiorm must evidently be
the restoration of the normal operation OF
the Constitution of the United States, with
all its amendments. The necessities of war
cannot be pleaded in time of peace the
right of local selfgovernment as guaranteed
by the Constitution of the Union must be
everywhere restored, and the centralized (al,
most personal) imperialism which has been
practised must be done away, or the first
principles of the republic will be lost
Our financial system of expedients must
be reformed Gold and silver are the real
standard of values, and our national cur
rency will not be perfect medium of ex-
change until it shall be convertible at the
pleasure of the holders. As | have hereto
fore said, no one desires return to specie
payn ents more earnestly than l do; but do
not believe that it will or can be reached in
harmony with the interests of the people by
artificial measures for the contraction of the
currency, any more than | believe that
wealth or permanent prosperity can be cre1
ated by an initiation of the currency. The
| laws of finance cannot be disregarded with
impunity. The financial policy of the Gov
ernment, if, indeed, it deserves the name Of
policy at all, has been in disregard of those
/ H. 4 4
cial and business confidence, as well as
hindered a return to specie payments. One
feature of that policy was the resumption
clause of the Act of 1875, which has en-
barassed the country by the anticipation OF
a compulsory resumption for which no pre-
paration has been made, and without any
assurance that it would be practicable. The
repeal of that clause is necessary that the
natural operation of financial laws may be
restored, that the business of the country
may be relieved from its disturbing and de
pressing influence, and that return tC
specie payments may be facilitated by The
substitution of wiser and more prudent leg
islation. which shall mainly rely on a judi
cious system of public economies and ollicia
ratrenchments, aud above all on the promo
ton fprosperity in all the industries Of th
people.
donot understand the repeal of the re
sumption clause Of the Act of 1875 to be
backward step in our return to specie pay
ments, but the recovery of false step am
although the repeal may, for time, be pre-
vented, yet the determination Of the Demo
cratic party ON this subject has now beer
distinctly declared. There should be m
hindrauces put in the way Of Il return t
specie payments. CAS- such hindrance,
says the platform of the St Louis Conven
ton, eve lenounce the resumption clause q
the Act Of 1873, and demand lis repeal.
| thoroughly believe that by public ecOno
my, by official retrenchments, and by wis
finance enabling us to accumulate tn
precious metals, resumption at an early pero
is possible, without producing an 'artiica
scarcity of currency" or disturbing public o
commercial credit; and that these reforms
together with the restoration Of pure gov
ernment, will restore general confidence, ell
courage the useful investment of capita
furnish employment to labor,and relieve tn
country from the 'paraysis OF hard times.
OUR INDUSTRIES.
With the industries of the people ther
have been frequent interierences. Our plat
form truly says that many industries hay
been Impoverished to subsidize Il few. Gu
commerce has been degraded to an inferic
r position on the high seas;manufactures hay
been diminished agriculture has been Ell
barrassed, and the distress Of the industrii
classes demands that these things shall b
? reformed.
The burdens of the people must also !
lghtened by great change in our system {
l public expenses The prolligate eXpend
lures which increased taxation from fy
dollars per capita in 1860 to eighteen dollar
. in 1870 tells its own story of our need {
fiscal reform.
, Our treaties with foreign powers shoul
also be revised and amended, in so far {
they leave citizens of foreign birth in an
particular less secure in any country ON cart
than they would be if they had been Dor
on our own soil and the iniquitous cool
) system which, through the agency {
wealthy companies, imports Chinese bono
men, and establishes a species of SLAYER,
and interieres with the just rewards of labC
? on our Pacific coast, should be utterl
! abolished.
| In the reform of our civil service | mo,
heartily indose that section of the platforl
which declares that the civil service ougl
, not to be"subject to change at every election.
| and that ii ought not to be made ''the bri,
4 reward ofparty zeal, butough tObe awarde
0 for proved competency amp held for iidelit