, 1876-05-13
WHAT THE REPUBLICAN, PARTY OWES
BRISTOW

| We ask thinking and rejecting men tc
recall the widespread discomfort, alarm. and
dissatisfaction which existed all over ,be
country in 1872 and 1874 among Republicans
concerning the corrupting influence which
butlerls1n7 or the worst form of nnchine
politics, exercised over the administration of
the Government. Butlerism had full swing
IN the custom-houses, in all branches Of the
revenue service, and was rampant in all the
departments of the Government, The num-
ber Of employees in all branches Of the public
servlce was duplicated and multiplied to
! provide patronage for members of Congress.
who used this force to corrupt the local
politics OF the several States. This discon-
tent among Republicans took the form of
antagonism to the reelection of Gen. GRANT.
and was strong enough to have defeated him,
and would have done so had not the COM
bined opposition made the fusco Of nomi-
mating FoRAcz GREELEY. Though boiling
Republicans voted for GREELEY by tens of
thousands, other tens of thousands either
voted for GRANT OF sbstained from
voting. This wholesale dissatisfaction
IN the Democratic party occasioned
by GREIEE's nomination defeated the
object sought by the anti4fnAS1 Re-
pubicans. The victory Of 1872 was nc
cepted By the machine politicians as evidence
Of their mastery, and under the lead of Bur
LEE Congress Immediately enactedthe salary
grab,-back pay and increased pay, and the
general increase OF all salaries and public ex-
penditures.
But the disgust, dissatisfaction, and dis |
content which had failed in its attempts at !
redress in 1872 had become intensified in
le'4, while the machine politicians who had |
accepted the escape in 1872 as due to their
own power and not to the bluuders of the
opposition, were more offensive and reckless
than ever. The election of 1874, however,
showed the strength of the popular distrust
and dissatisfaction, and of the popular demand
for reform, There was q perfect storrn of
public indignation which swept the machine
leaders out Of Congress. 1t was the most
dreadful blow that any party in power had
ever received from the people. In a single
lay the party which for many years had had
majority of two-th1rcls aud over of the
house OF Representatives was reduced to a
'ara thlrd the numerical strength of the
PARTIES IN the House was exactly reversed.
The great States of New York, Ohio, Penn
ylvania, Indiana, and Illinois were lost even
Massachusetts, for the first time in thirty
ears elected Democratic Governor and
democratic members Of Congress Wiscon-
IN and Alchlgnn we're nearly captured, aud
ne 1epubhcans lost even Congressman in
owa~ In Indiana, New York, PENNSYLVANIA.
'ho, Connecticut, and several Southern I
tate5, the Democrats elected United States
enators' and would have gained one in ILL., 7
oss mad there been one to elect. In bichi- t
an and Wisconsin there Was bare escape ! !
rom elect1ng Democratic Senators. As it is,
10 once three-fourths majority Of the Re- t
upifcans IN the Senate has been reduced to ! J
very small majority. and will be lost alto h
ether In case Of defeat in 1876. Another T
'sult OF that election WIS tbs t1ansfer of tho a
7oFernments OF several States from the Re- b
ablcan to the Democratic party. r
Ihe President was profoundly admonished q
the result of that disastrous election Of Il
. necessity for change in the Administra- | h
IN so tar as the character OF the men who -
fcered it. Shortly after, when Mr, R1cH- Il
psox dropped out Of an Office for which be 3,
Is never competent, he turned his atteu- r
N to the selection of man from better r.,
IS Of statesmen than was furnished bv tha n
lch1ue politicians. In his search he re- ~
:mbered that there was man whom he
known IN the army, 8 1nan who had ~
ed to BE- Republican in Kentucky in old IA
rery times; who had served a Unitad l.,