The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-08
TILDEN'S LETTER 3!
(Concluded,)

NCOnciuded.)
pie, but for the interest Of the Office
holders, who are in truth but the servants
of the people. Under the influence of this
pernicious error public employments have
been multiplied; the numbers of those
gathered into the ranks of office-holders
have been steadily increased beyond any
possible requirement of tie public bust
ness, while iueiiciency, peculation. fraud,
and malversation of the public funds,
| from the high places IF power to the
lowest, have overspread the whole service
| like leprosy
The other evil is the organization of the
official class into body of political mer-
ceharies, governing the caucuses and
debating the nominations of their own
party, and attempting to carry the cleo
tons Of the people by undue influence and
by immense corruption funds systemati
caly collected from the salaries or fees of
office holders. The official class in otter
countries, some times by its own weight
and some times in alliance with the army,
has been able 20 rule the unorganized
masses even under universal suffrage.
Here, it has already grown into gigantic
power capable of sitting the inspirations of
a sound public opinion, and of resisting an
easy change of administration, until mis-
government becomes intolerable and public
spirit has been stung to the pitch of civic
revolution.
The first step in reform is the elevation
of the standard by which the appointing
power selects agents to execute official
trusts. Next in importance is a con-
scientious fidelity in the exercise of the
authority to hold to account and displace
uutrustworthy or incapable subordirates.
The public interest in an honest, skilful
performance of official trust, must not be
sacrificed to the usufruct of the in
cumbents.
After these immediate steps, which will
insure the exhibition Of better examples,
we may wisely 60 on to the abolition of
unnecessary offices, and, finally, to the
patient, careful organization of better
civil. system, under the tests,
wherever practicable, of proved compe-
tency and fidelity.
While much may be accomplished by
these methods, il might encourage delu
sive expectations if l withheld here the ex
preston of my conviction that no reform
of the civil service in this country will be
complete and permanent until its chic
/ magistrate is constitutionaly disqualified
tor reelection; experience having re-
peatedly exposed the tutility of self-im
posed restrictions by candidates or incum
bents. Through this solemnity only car
he be effectually delivered from his great
est temptation to misuse the power anC
patronage with which the executive il
necessarily charged.
CONCLUSION.
. Educated in the belief that 1t is the frs
: duty of citizen of the republic to tax,
his fair allotment of care and trouble il
public affairs, | have, for forty years, as
private citizen, fulfilled that duty. Though
occupied in an unusual degree during al
] that period with the concerns Of gov
eminent, have never acquired the habl
= of official lie. When, year and hal
ago, L entered upon my present trust,
was in order to consummate reforms t
: which | had already devoted several of tn
I best wears of my life. Knowing as | dc
therefore, from fresh experience, no,
i great the difference is between glidiu
through an official routine and working ou
reform Of systems and policies, it is in
possible f9r ME to contemplate what need
to be done in the Federal administrator
Without an anxious sense of the difficu
ties of the undertaking. If summoned b
the suffrages Of my countrymen to attemr
| his work, | shall epdeavor, with God
help, to be the efficient instrument of tho
will SAMUEL J. TILDEN.
To General John a. McClernaf d, chairman; Ge
eral ". B. Franklin, Hon. j. j. Abbott, Hon, F
| J. Spaunhorsi, Hon. II. ]. Redfe. d, Hon, f.
IVp aD1C 9th ttap So