New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-03
HENRY L. CLINTON on CAMPAIGN CUES
TIONS.

Henry L. Clinton, in a speech at Tammany
Han on Wednesday night declared that the most mpor
ant tins campaign was that OF Administrative Re
form, and there really only one question In CON
nexon with that subject Which political party Is the
most likely TO accomplish the reform imperaycy de-
manded by the peopler' After referring to alleged
frauds in the Treasury Department, the War Depart
ment and the Navy Department. Mr.. Clinton SAID that
no relief could be expected from Republican
Administration; that the Cincinnati platform gave
no assurances OF any disposition even TO at
tempt reform, and that it approved President
Grants ADMINISTRATION with all Its abuses The only re-
form promised in that platform without equvocaton or
ambiguity was the abolition of pOlysamy. Mr. Clinton a.
serted euphatcaly that reform could be had except
through the Democratic party, and referred to Gov III
Gen labors for good government He then TOOK up inc
relation Of the Democratic party TO the South ana rcpeed
the charge Of dsOyaty He said that the leaders ana
the rank and file f the Democratic party as well as the
Rerublican in the North. the East and the West.
as soon as the rebellion broke out, determined 10
put IL down by force " arms lie claimed that ~
many and probably more Democrats than Repnbncans
TO-. n i'm the Union army and that Democratic states
tban Repuiican states. Mr.. Clinton took up the history
Democratic party with reference to the war ana
tbc Chicago Convention of 1864. lie said that the
famous peace resolution adopted al that convention did
not express the sentiments OF the Democratic party ahu
should not have been adopted that GOV Idc d.d an
IN MS power to prevent rs adoption and cNcrcd ms ~
iuencc with Gen. Mcclellan To induce nun 10 NUM-!
in his letter Of acceptance. The speaker ailcrward de-
cIared that the Democratic party was thoroughly
pledged TO observe IN good faith the Thirteenth
Fourteenth aud Fifteenth constitutional amend
ments and asserted that the Republicans could claim
no special credit for the position they occupied IN
regard those amendments. The course OF the Demo
cratic House OF Representatives was defended by MI
Clinton and he said that the discharge OF Union soldiers
l,y the Democratic dOorkecper had been greatly mis-
represented. Republican House, out Of 1913 appoint
meuts had only spared Il To Union soldiers; the Demo
cratic House md appointed - Union soldiers The hue
and cry had been raised because Dcmordnc Union sol
diers had been appointed, not Republicans The subject
OF the rebel war debt and rebel war claims was then
taken up. Mr. Clinton said that 10 could not DC supposed
that cit her party Congress would DC so ldOtc as 10
attempt any legislation having in view The pay
mcnt of such claims. He asserted that neither the
Democratic House Of Representatives nor the
Democratic party had done anything whatever
that Indicated any intention to pass through
Congress anv such claims and there no reason 10 c
lieve that Democratic House would lend more Will
ing ear 10 the application for payment OF such claims
than Republican Senate He declared That every one
acquainted with the policy OF the Democratic party ana
with the character Of Nj TIlGcn tatesnal knew
that rebel claims would receive no FAVOR iioh Il
Democratic House OF Representatives OF nom pr l,SM'
should lac be elected President. lie releeu 10 Gov "
denis recent letter about rebel claims, ana lt t'ud'i
upon Gov TlieU's cUurs" during the war; ahlmhS 'lI
he was true to the OF the Union Alter an 'huue1
alton Of men who prominent RcpupI c@it uuitIt
the war, but who are supporting Gov IlIdti' ht,
Clinton closed with prediction OF Democratic NcIo'y
ueYt