The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-04
GOVERNOR. GGIX'S LECTURE.
Ex-0OVERNORs MORGAN AND HOFpL
MAN IN THE PULPIT.
Ne sectari risnism In the scheois-Ns TIVE
Terms for the President-The Demsrrtt--
Ing Distribution Of Omccs s-W. NJ. Twec<.

Terms Tor the Prestdent-The Demerutkn-
ing Distribution Of Oniccs NJ. Twect.
Ex-Gov. John A. Dix lectured before the
Association for the Advancement OF Science sof
Art, in the South Reformed Church. last evon-
ing. In the pulpit by his side were ex-Govs. n
ID. Morgan and John T. Hoffman. The Rev. q.
Irengus Prime introduced the lecturer. The
Governors subject was, "The Social and Poiitt-
cal Evils Of the Time" The first evil touched
upon was the distribution Of ofices by the Ohisf
Magistrate. It Ia to he regretted that the num-
Der OF appointments has been increased 80 eoor-
mously that expectations and hopes In regard 70
them have become an active agency IN our gen
eral elections. This patronage has sometimes
been used to promote the renomination OF the
Chief Magistrate Of the Union for a second term
OF ofice. allude to a period somewhat remote
from our own time; and thero was reason for
believing that In one instance many yoars ago.
Cabinet officers were selected before the Presi-
dent entered on his first term with view to his
reelection for a second. know but one mode
OF renedying the evil referred tor al least of
mitigating II, for the remedy Ia not perfect-aDA
that Is to confer oDRthe Chief Magistrate con-
strained disinterestedness by making him In
eligible to office for second torn. IL will not,
It Is true, deprive him Of the pOwei Of rewlrdtns
his political friends and supporters; but II Ylp
divest him OF one OF tho most seductive mo-
tives to selfish action by rendering It's obieot
unattainahle
The distribution of the ofnces In tho Treasury
according to their population under law re-
Gently y issod, Is cert inly fair distribution of
tho spOils, but to fulhll the requirements OF the
law . man must not only Q honest and oapabls
bull ne must ne Marylander or New J6rsey-
man, or a Californian. 1t IL n dcmoralzing de-
parture from the theory u the Government
This tendency to make public offices subserv-
lent To local and private interests will lead to
their use exclusively Tor party purposes-and
some nrOgrcSs has been made In this direction
by the removal Of faithful subordinates on 40
count Of their political opinions. Fortunately.
al nlI.rn nF AFia aAh
ployees are retained no administration can 20
on without miscarriage. ! see no remedy hue
the one have suggested-the inelgbility OF
.ne President for a second term Of once, ex-
tending the single term to six years, obyiatina
some iurther evils and adding greatly to the
comfort OF the community by proionging the
PERIOD OF repOse which Follows general eleo-
tiOn.
The condition Of tho national currenoy IA
national reprosch for which The Congresses Of
the past ten years are responsible. The present
Congress is one Of great executions. and It is
TO be hoped that Is may do something for the
country's honor anu It's own.
There Is serious orsanic defect In the Consu-
tuition OF the state that Ia, the election Of the
principal Judicial Cflcers BY the people. The
speaker thought, with the original law akers
that judges should hold their Office during good
behavior. They should be appointed by the
Governor. who should act With tho advioe aud
consent Of tue Senate. Their election tends 70
create partisan courts. As time goes on there "
danger that we may nnd candidates for thess
ohres soillng the ermine Of Justice by election
eering for them selves.
The speaker was not one OF those who be-
lieved that we were In all things worse than our
pred ecessors Our moral condition has de decIIned
within tue last atty year.. He remem ed thss
| forty years ago, during period of eight yeafs.
| the number Of murder cases Ia the state was
less than three per nnnum. Recently thers
| were I'VE cOnvicts In one prison under sentenos
Of death. Crimes have Increased In larger
ratio than the population. but crime Is more
promptly and cnectually punished in this city
than II was fve years ago.
Some Of the worst examples OF demoralz alton
have been found among fnen In high social po-
sition. Persons ENJOYING to the fullest extent
the confidence OF their follow citizens have been
guilty OF the groesest abuse OF trust by convert
| Ing 10 their own use money deposited with them
| by conhding friends. ana In many Instances re-
ducing widows and orph ans to poverty and desti-
| tuition. Scarcely week eIapses wltnout chroni-
| cling the flight OF cashier Of banking or oom-
merelal house, or county treasurer with stolea
| funds In his hands. Every man should considss
It a sacred duty to vote 80 that the Govern
ment could not fall to unscrupulous and iRno-
neglec ing to vote for two years to make the
| delinquent forfeit his right forever.
| Speaking of Tweed, the lecturer SAID
believe II may be truly said that he was never i'm.
pris9ned ~ strict accordance Sih 1ne sentence Of s
Nhlch other erininas who have committed. BY con.
Iarsou the most nsgnlncant onsnoee. undergo their
admin trstion Of pubic justice Is awavs Represented
DlAckwcli'. Island she Would have wac..cd what has
ucver been en- oeiore In tnc hst1 Of criminal urs
t.ry 70 hclp Inn take care OF ii, piunder Il il
@ ely 70 s usse Ss hshe 81 eSs
In the state to screen him from uuBishmcnI. HIS
MN during II. cslsnon. consIiuIs the nost dissrsos
ful chspter in the history OF tho Stee for cannOt
dnuoicd that tneJ were procured BY corrupns pu0is
VtlN ls
| The speaker thought tho public school system
the surest preservstiye of our free Institutions.
There Is no need for fear that II Is Ia danger bua
the simultaneous movement made In thoss
States to weaken II must satisfy US there Ia need
| for unslumbering vigilance. The system would
| be destroyed II the schools should be throwa
open for the incubation Of the dOgmas Of any
one religious sect.
When called upon to address the audience,
ex. Gov. Hoffman moved for vote OF thanks TO
the lecturer OF the evening, aud eK- Gov. Morgan
seconded the motion.
The next address before the association win
| be on the first Monday In February, by eK-(iov.
| Hoffman, upon Liberty and order aud powcgv
| OF government.