The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-11-03

Many issues enter into the present polili-
cal contest, such as Capitalization on the one
side as opposed to the right of local self gov.
eminent, but the paramount question, which
indeed involves all others, is, shall we
have Reform in the National Government
No words are needed to point out the neces-
sity for Reform. 1t is felt by every farmer
when he offers to sell the produce of his land,
or supply the wants Of his family. 1t is felt
by every working man, in decreased wages
and scanty employment, brought about by
dull times. 1t is felt by the capitalist, who
fears TO risk his money in business ventures,
when there is but little demand for the pro.
ducts of the mill or the factory 1t is felt by
the merchant whose business has been cur
tailed from the inability of customers to pur-
chase his goods 1t is felt by all, in high
taxes, stagnation of business of every kind
and hard time'. The only class who see no
necessity for Reform is the army of one
hundred and two thousand federal Office
holders, whose pay regularly drawn, repre-
sents the sweat and toll of millions of farm
ers and laboring men in every department of
industry.
1t has not always been thus. Your men,
cries, with scarcely an effort, will carry you
back to a time when the labor of the farmer
and mechanic met with due reward-when
none su ffered for bread, who were not too
lazy or too proud to work.
Who is responsible for the present condt-
tion of affairs in this country? Evidently
the party who have had control of the gov
eminent during the last sixteen weary years.
Its administration its reckless expen-
diture of the public funds the fraud and
corruption in public places which it has
shielded; its utter disregard of justice or
even of law itself-these are what have
brought about the hard times, and for which
the Republican party are directly RESPONSE
Bile.
But they say we will reform these things
ourselves when Hayes is elected. No they
won't. The reform element in the Republic
can party persisted at Cincinnati, when the
corrupt rings which control it refused to
nominate Bristow, who had shown DISPOSE
tion to reform some particular abuses, and
nominated Hayes, man they knew they
could control Can you trust the promises
of the party which turned down the only
prominent reformer they had, because they
feared him?
The Democratic party also promise Re-
form. They showed the earnestness and sim
certify of their desire for Reform, by nominat-
ing at st. Louis, with the most surprising
unanimity, the man most prominent in all
the land as a true reformer-SamuclJ J. Tilden,
of New York. The man who fought and de.
feated gigantic plundering ring composed
of Democrats and Republicans, in his own
State, and by his unremitting personal efforts
secured reduction of one half the taxes
levied upon the people of New York by a
Republican Legislature. Nor are Demo.
cratic claims rs party of reform confined
alone to the herculean and successful efforts
of Mr.. Tilden for the good of the people of
New York The last House of Representa-
tves, controlled 10y the Democrats, in the
face of tt Republican President and Senate,
for the current year, thirty millions of dol
lars below what the President and heads of
departments declared was absolutely ncces-
sary to run the government. The business
Of the government continues to be transacted
neverthele s, and the offce-holders still re-
ceiVe en- ough to enable them to stand re-
peated assessments of their salaries for polit.
ical purposes-proving that the thirty mil
lions additional asked for by the Republicans
was not for legitimate purposes.
Between these two parties you must decide.
A vote for Hayes, Wheeler and Harris is
vote to increase and perpetuate the burdens
now upon yonr shoulders. A change must
be made. A vote for Tilden, Hendricks and
Roberts will be vote for your country, for
yourself and for all who are near and dear to
you. Think of it,