The New York herald., 1876-07-10
Constitutional Amendments Regarding the
Public Schools Favored.
KIND WORDS FOR THE SOUTH


under Providence shall bo abIe II elected,
the duties OF the high ofce for the benefit Of
all the people.
do not deem It necessary TO enter upon any
tended examination Of the declaration Of principles
made by the Convention. Tho resolutions arc in
cord with my views, and heartily concur In tho
principles they In several of the resolutions
however. questions considered which OF such
Importance that deem proper to briefly express my
convictions in regard to them.
CIVIL SERVICE REroRM.
Tho nth resolution adopted by the Convention is OF
paramount interest More than orty years ago system
ofmaking appointments Office grew up based upon the
maxim, $50 the victors belong the spols." Tho old
rule the ruc that honesty capacity and fidelity
constitute the only real qualifications for Office, and
that there other claim place to the idea that
party services to be chiefly considered All par
ties practice have adopted this system II has
essentially modified since its first introducon has
not, however, been improved At first the President
either directly through the heads of departments
made all the appointments But gradually the appoint
ing power in many cases. passed into the control OF
members OF Congress Tho Offices in these cases have
become not merely rewards for party services, but
wards for services to party leaders This sys,om
destroys the independence Of the separate
departments Of the government; II tends
directly 10 extravagance and ofncial ncapacity;
il is a temptation to dishonesty; it hinders and i'm
pairs that careful supervision and strict
by which alone faithful and efficient public
be secured 1t obstructs the prompt and sure
punishment Of the unworthy; in evcry dcgrades
the civil service and tho character OF the
1t Is fclt, am confident, by large majority Of tho
members OF Congress, to bc intoerabe burden and
an unwarranablc hindrance the proper discharge
their legitimate duties 1t ought to bo abolished. The
reform should be thorough. radical and complete. We
| should return tho principles and practice Of the
founders OF the govcrnment-suppiyng by legislation,
whom needed that which formerly tho established
custom. They neither expected nor desired from
the public oflcers any partisan service They meant
that public officers should givo their whole service
to the government aud TO the people They
meant that the ofnccr should be in his
as long personal character remained untarnshed
and the performance OF his duties satisfactory. II
elected shall conduct the admin stration OF the gov.
ernment upon these principles and all constitutional
powers vested In the Executive will be employed to
establish this reform
TERN
The declaration OF principles by tho Cincinnati Con-
vention makes announcement in favor of single
Presidential term. / do not assume add TO that
dccaration but believing that the restoration of tho
civil service to the system established by Washington
and followed by tho early Presidents bo best
to use tho patronage of his Office to promote his
reelection l desire to perform what regard
duty In stating my innexiolo purpose, II elected
not to bc . candidate for election second term.
rnE CURRENCY QUESTION.
On the currency question have frequently expressed
my views In public and stand by my record on this
subject regard all tho laws Of the United States
latng to the payment OF tho public Indebtedness. the
legal tender included, constituting pledge
and moral obligation OF the government, which must
in good faith be kept 1t is my conviction that the
feeling Of uncertainty inscparabe from irrsdcemabc
paper currency with its fluctuations OF vnluc, OF
the great obstacles revival OF confidence and bus
iness and to q Of prosperity. That uncertainty
can be ended In but way-the resumption OF specie
psvments but tho longer the instability Of money
system is permitted continue the greater will tho
injury inflicted upon economical interests and all
classes Of society. II elected shall approve every
appropriate measure to accomplish tho desired end,
and shall oppose any step backward
srsrEx
The resolution with respect tho public school sys-
tenn one which should the hearty support Of
the people. Agitation upon this subject to
be apprehended unit, by constitutional amendment tho
schools placed beyond all danger Of scctsran con.
troll or interference Tho republican party Is pledged
to secure such an amendment
rnH RIGHTS or cnuxSa
The resolution Of tho Convention on the subject Of
tho pacncaton OF the country and the CON-
pcse protection Of all It's citizens in the free onoy-
men. Of all OF their constitutional rights Is timely and
OF great importance
TEE SOUTH
Tho condition of the Southern States attracts tho A.
tenton and commands tho sympathy OF tho people Of
the whole Union In their progressive recovery IRON
the effects OF the their nrst necessity an intc-
gent and honest administration OF government which
will protect all classes Of citizens thcr political and
private rights What the South most is 'peses,"
and peace depends upon the supremacy Of the law.
There can b no enduring psaes Ne esassasssteaL