The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-08-16

4 SoHcl HtHSh5 composed OF elements
entirely new and pledged to radical
reform. The first work of reform
must evidently be the restoration of
the normal operation of the Consti-
tuition of the United States with all
its amendments. The necessities Of
war cannot be pleaded in a time Of
peace. The right of local self-gov-
ernment as guaranteed by the Con-
stitution must be everywhere restor-
ed, and the centralized. almost per-
sonal imperialism. which has been
practised, must be done away, or the
first principles of Republic will be
lost.
Financial Reform
Our financial system Of expedients
must be reformed. Gold and silver
are the real standard of yalues and
our national currency will not be n
perfect medium of exchange until N
shall be convertible at the pleasure
OF the holder. As have heretofore
said, no one desires a return to spe-
Gle payments more earnestly than I
do; but do not believe it will or
can be reached in harmony with the
interests of the people by artificial
measures for the contraction of the
currency, any more than believe
that wealth or permanent prosperity
can be created by an imitation Of the
currency. The laws of finance cam
not be disregarded with impunitv
TIE financial policy of the Govern
ment, if indeed it deserves the name
of policy at all, has been in disre-
gard of those laws, and therefore has
disturbed the commercial and busi-
ness confidence as well as hindered
a return to specie payments. One
feature Of that policy was the re-
sumption clause of the act of 1875,
which has embarr assed the country
by the anticipation of compulsory
resumption for which no preparation
has been made, and without any as
surance that it would be practicable.
The repeal of that clause is necessary,
that the natural operation Of finan-
cial laws may be restored, and that
the business of the country may be
relieved from its disturbing and de-
pressing influence. and that return
to specie payments may be facilitat-
ed by the substitution of wiser and
more prudent legislation, and which
shall mainly rely on judicious sys-
tenn of public economy and official
retrenchments. and, above all, in the
promotion Of prosperity in all the
industries of the people.
The Repeal of the Resumption
*~eE Clause. tet
1 do not understand the repeal of
the resumption clause of the act of
1875 to be backward step in our
return to specie payments, but the
recovery of a false step; and al
though the repeal may for time be
prevented, yet the determination Of
the Democratic party on this subject
has now been distinctly declared.
There should be no hinderances put
in the way OF return to specie pay
ments. "As such a hinderance,"
SAYS the platform of the St. Louis
! Convention. eve denounce the re-
sumption clause of the act Of 1875,
and demand it's repeal" / thor
oughly believe that by public econ
omy, by official retrenchments, and
by wise finance, enabling us TO accu-
mulate the precious metals, resump-
ton at an early period is possible
without producing an artificial scar
city of currency or disturbing the
public or commercial credit, and that
| these reforms, together with the re-
storation Of pure government, will
/ restore general confidence. encour-
age the useful investment of capital,
/ furnish employment to labor and fe-
lieve the country from the paraly-
sis of hard times. With the indus
tries of the people there have been
| frequent interferences. Our plat
form truly says that many industries
have been impoverished to subsidize
a few. Our commerce has been de-
graded to an inferior position on the
high seas, manufactures have been
diminished, agriculture has been en-
barrassed, and the distress of the in
dastrial classes demands that these
things shall be performed. The bur-
dens of the people must also be
lightened by great change in our
system of public expenses. The
profigate expenditures which in
creased taxation from SIS per capita
in 1860 to $l8 in 1870 tells its own
story of our need Of fiscal reform.
CITIZENS OF FOREIGN BIRTH.
Our treaties with foreign powers
should also be revised and amended
in so far as they leave our citizens of
1 foreign birth in any particular less
secure in any country on earth than
they would be if they had been born
upon our soil.
THE CHINESE.
The iniquitious coolie system. which
through the agency Of wealthy com
panies, imports Chinese hondmen
and establishes a species of slavery
and interferes with the just rewards
of labor on our Pacific coast should
be utterly abolished.
CIVIL SERVICE.
In the reform Of our Civil Service
I most heartily endorse that section
of the platform which declares that
the Civil Service ought not to be
subject to change ut every election.
and that it ought not to be made
the brief reward Of party zeal. but
ought to be awarded for proved COM
potency and held for fidelity in the
public employ. / hope never again
to see the cruel and remorseless pro-
scription for political opinions, which
| has disgraced the administration OF
the last eight years. Bad ~ the
/ civil Service now Is. as all know, it