The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-08-25
BristOw in Vermont.
Why He supports Hayes.

Ex-Secretary Bristow addressed large meet
ings at Darlington and ST. Adams Vt. After
reviewing the record of the Democratic party
In the past he referred to the financial ques-
ton, and said:
"The platform of the Democratic party, the
letters of acceptance of Its candidates and the
conduct of the House of Representatives, taken
together, sufficiently poove that the party can
not be relied upon to bring about resumption.
AS party it has neither the purpose nor abili-
ty to do so. The controlling element of the par
ty would dictate and enforce a financial policy
which would set the business of the country
afoat on a sea of imitation without rudder or
compass. The Republican party, if it has not
done all that might have been done to relieve
the country of an incOnvertible currency, has
taken important steps in that direction, and is
fully committed by its acts and declarations to
the completion of the work. Governor Hayes
led the party to victory last year in the great
state of Ohio in advocacy of certain and
speedy resumption. In his letter of acce ptance
of the nomination for the Presidency he de-
clares that he stands by his record on this
question, and that the party must 60 forw ard
10 the performance of its pledges, taking no
step backward. Mr.. Wheeler's past course and
present utterance on this subject are free from
all doubt.
He dwelt at length on the question of civil
service reform, and said:
LILO AACpuuhCou pdItyy SiuC0 IT'S duV6QC 10
power, has been confronted by such stupendous
dangers to the very existence of the government
and to the personal and political rights of its
citizens that the reform of this evil of Democrat
10 origin has necessarily been postponed. Mean
while, like all other evils, it has continued to
grow. The present is favorable time for the
correction of this abuse, and return to the true
method of civil service. The Republican party
now proposes to enter upon the work with
earnestness and zeal. The Cincinnati platform
of fl,o of ov,l hx,l
that the constitutional distinction between leg
islative and executive functions and duties
should be strictly observed, and that senators
and representatives should not dictate appoint
ments to office. Governor Hayes, by his letter
of acceptance, which is throughout model of
frankness and true craftsmanship, gives par
ticular prominence to his views on this subject
No candid man of any party can read what he
says in this respect without being profoundly
impressed with bis courage of opinion and his
perfect freedom from the acts and practices of
demagogue and place.seeker. Governor
Hayes promises that, il elected, he will conduct
the administration of the government in ac-
cordance with these views, and that all the
constitutional power vested in the Executive
will be employed to establish this reform. As
aguaranty OF the complete fulfllment of this
pledge, he voluntarily announces his infallible
purpose not to be candidate for q second
term to the Presidency, that he may at the out
set free himself from all possible temptation to
ment OF his own reelection. This is not the
language of an artful politician, but of an
honest believer in the sacredness of the princi-
pies which he announces. 1t Is consistent with
his whole public career. 1t is in harmony with
his practices during his own former terms as
Governor of bis state and with his public utter
anceS before his name was mentioned in con-
nection with the nomination for the Presi.
dency.
'Under the practice and influence of his adj
1niniStratinn of
may confidently expect reform in the national,
state and municipal governments. 1t will be
easy enough to reform the civil service when
the Executive is relieved from the embarrass-
wards made upon him by members of Congress
and IS thus left free to exercise his constitu-
ti0nal functions under the sanction of his oath
of Office. dhe House of Representatives is
charged by the constitution with powers and
duties which are wholly inconsistent with the
idea of its members having any share of the
responsibility for appointments and removals.
The practice of allowing members of the House
to control appointments or removals is an un-
warrantable Interference with the duties and
responsibilities of the Executive and is him
drance to the proper performance of the con-
stitutional functions of the House."
The speaker then discussed at length the
matter of nominations by the President and the
system of confirmations or reflections by the
Senate, saying the latter is another subject for
reform, and that the President could correct it,
or indeed any other abuse, if he possessed
earnest conviction and infexible purpose,
packed and supported by the people. "The
! party attempting to take advan-
tage OF the temper of the people, has," he said
unIurled banner bespangled all over with
The word reform, but earnest and sincere re-
formers VIII not De deceived into the belief that
to carry Harvard iubstantial reform. They do
not forget that the very system and practices
which we seek to abolish were introduced nv
the Democrat party more than forty years AGO.
and were continued so long as that party re-,
tanned power. The Democratic party could mo
more be trusted to reform the civil Service than
lean and hungry wolf to guard sheep-fold."