The Republican journal., 1876-08-10
MEN DO NOTHING BECAUSE

MEN DO NOTHING BECAUSE
they are unable to make any calculations OH
which they can safely rely. They undertake
nothing because they fear loss in everything
they would attempt. They stop and wait. The
merchant dares not buy for the future consump-
ton Of his customers. The manufacturer dares
not make fabrics which may not refund his out
lay; he shuts his factory and discharges his
workmen. Capitalists cannot lend on security
they consider safe. and their funds lie almost
without interest; men OF enterprise who have
credit or securities TO pledge Will not borrow
consumption has fallen below the natural limits
of Il reasonable economy. Prices of many
things are under their range in frugal specie
paving times before the war. Vast masses of
currency lie in the banks unused. A year ard
a half ago the legal tenders were at their largest
volume, and the twelve mill ions since retired
have been replaced by fresh issues OF fifteen
millions of bank notes. In the meantime the
banks have been surrendering about four mil.
lions month, because they cannot find proii-
table use for so many Of their notes.
THE PUBLIC MIND WILL no LONGER ACCEPT
SHAMS.
1t has suffered enough from iusons-an in
sincere policy increases distrust, an unstable
policy increases uncertainty. The people need
to know that the Government is moving in the
direction of ultimate safety and prosperity, and
that it is doing so through prudent, safe and
conservative methods which will be sure to in
tlict no new sacrifice on the business of the
country. Then the inspiration of new hope
and well founded confidence will hasten the re-
storing process of nature, and prosperity will
begin to return.
The st. Louis Convention concludes its eX-
preston in regard to the currency by declare
| ton of its convictions as to the practical results
of the system Of preparations it demands. 1t
says
We believe such Il system, well devised and above
all entrusted to competent hands for execution,
creating at time an artificial scarcity OF currency
and at no time alarming the public mind into with
drawal of that vaster machinery of credit by which
% per cent OF all business transactions are perform
ed-a system open, public and inspiring general
conidence-would, from the day OF its adoption
bring healing on its wings to all our harassed in
dusrieS, set in motion the wheels Of commerce.
| ploymcnt to labor, and in all its natural
| sources the prosperity OF the people.
| The Government of the United States, in ms
| opinion, can advance to resumption OF specie
payments on its legal-tender notes by gradual
and safe processes, tendin" to relieve the pres
| ent business distress. II charged by the people
with the administration of the Executive office
| should deem il Il duty so to exercise the pow
ers with which it has been or may be invested
| by Congress as best and soonest TO conduct the
| country to that bencticent result.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
| The convention justly allirms that reform is
nuri,;cat;on. nacaSsar, to ;ts ononl,n, .nJ ~ II.
efficiency; necessary in order that the ordinary
employment of the public business may not be
a prize fought for at the ballot-box; brief re-
nc si%ned for nrovnI ronnatondv md hai,I fa,
t;Iniitv in tha nnhlir omtiny Tho Tnn~an+in,,
wisely aided thnt rrfnrn, i nncoS.nrr aIon
| more in the higher grades of the public service
The President, Nice-Presdent, Judges, Sena-
tors, Representatives, Cabinet officers; these
w,nts. thnir oticnrs TLny ,ra nnt y ,,ri,.ato
| nernui.ito. thnv nrn :, nuI,lic trnxt
--
'''-i' ''f-
ol lle Feuefal No.eihihtht: oile - lhc pre-
Valent ana denofallzing hotlon tha' the pubi,c
service eNtsts hol ioi Ihc business ana Denent
OF the Wlole people but lof me interest," OF The
oiice-hoiuGrs VINO are IN 'i"lh out thc ser
wants ol lne people. Ghdef me influence OF
thls pernlclous error puDl:t clhpioymcnls nave
been multiplied. the number Of those gathered
INTO the ranks OF olIlce@Eolders nave been steadi
~ increased beyond any po?Siole requirements
| OF the publlc business, While the lnethcency.
peculatlon, fraud ana nalVcrsatlon OF the pub
ic funds from the hl9h places OF power to the
| lowest, have oVerSpread the whole service like
leprosy.
| The other evil Is the organization OF the Of
| fetal class into body of political mercenarics
governing the caucuses and debating the nomi-
| nations OF their own party, and attempting tC
carry The elections OF the people by undue III
| 1uence ana by immense corruption funds. sys-
| tematlcaly collected from the salaries or fees
| OF ofilce-holders. The official rlass in Other
| countries, sometimes by its own weight and
| sometimes N alliance with the army, has beer
abe TO rule the Lnorganlzed masses. even un
uef universal suiiIise. lieFe IL mas alIeady
| tho insnirations OF y snnnd nnhIjr onin;on in5
| of rpsiItino an p.Sy ch.nrn 0f administrntio,
| until t,iSGoyernmcnt hnr0mes intnlor,hl, mn
public spjrt has been stuno TO the mitch of .
| riyir rpynlution
| ... ~
mr. iii'7i - ~ IN i'hiofN
is the elevation OF the standard by which tho
| appointing power selects agents 10 execute OF
| hclal trusts. Next III Importance Is Il con-
| sclentl0uS fidelity III the exercise of the au
| thorlty TO hold to account and dlsplace untrust
| worthy or incapable suborlnates. The public
| interest IN an honest skllfui performance of of
| ciai trust must not be sacrificed to the usulruc
OF the encumbenls after these immediate steps
Whlch Will ensure lhc eAhlbllion OF Dellef tA-
| anlpieS. we may wisely 20 Oh 10 the a"oiltioi
OF unnecessary offices, ana lnaiIy TO the patient
| careful organization OF better elFli Stlficf
| system under the tests wherever practicable, 0
proved competency and lldcllly.
" hlle mulch may be accomplished hy these
methods, 1t might encourage deluSlve cNpecta
| tons IT l Withheld here the expression of my
conviction that no reform OF the civil service ii
| this country Will be complete and pcimanen
until Its chief Is constltutlona!iy disqualified fol
posed restrictions by candidates OF cncum5ents
| delivered from his greatest temptatjou TO mis-
| use the power and patronage will, which the
| Executive is necessarily charged