The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-07-18

rewards for services TO party ieauerS.-
This system destroys the independence
OF the separate departments Of the Gov
ernment. st tends directly to- extraya-
gance and official incapacity."' 1t is q
temptation to dishonesty; it binders and
impairs that careful supervision and
strict accountability BY which alone faith,
fol and efficient public service can be Sc
cured ; it obstructs the prompt removal
and sure punishment Of the unworthy; in
every way it itdegrades the civil service
and the character Of the government. II
is felt, I am confident, by q large majority
OF the members of Congress. to oe an in
tolerable burden. and an uuwarrantable
hindrance to the properdisoharge OF their
legitimate duties. 1t ought to be abol-
ished. The reform should be thorough,
radical, and complete. We should return
tothe principles and practice of the foup-
ders of gthe Goyernment-supplying by
legislation, when needed, that which was
formerly the established custom. They
neither expected nor desired from the
public officers any partisan services They
meant that. public officers should give
their whole service to the government
and to the people. They meant that the
officer should be secure in his tenure as
long as his personal character remained
untarnished and the performance of his
duties satisfactory. If elected, I shall
conduct the administration OF the Gov.
ernment upon these principles, and al
constitutional powers vested in the Exc
cutiYe will be employed to establish this
reform, The declaration Of principles
by the, Cincinnati Convention makes nc
announcement in favor Of single Presi
Dental term. lido not assume to add te
that declaration, but believing that the
restoration Of the civil service to the sys
tenn established by Washington and fol
lowed by the early Presidents can be besl
accomplished by an Executive who is un,
der no temptation to use the patronage OIL
bis Office to promote his own reelection,
] Idesire to perform what / regard asa
/ duty IN stating now my inaexible pdr-
pose, if elected, not to be candidate for
election to a second term. 9
On the currency question have fre.
qnently expressed my views in public, and
/ stand by my record on this subject ]
regard all the laws of the United States
relating to the payment of the public in
debtedness, the legal-tender notes inclu.
ded, as constitutinga pledge and moral
obligation Of the Government, which
must in good faith be kept Itis my con-
viction hatthefeeling of uncertainty in
separable from an irredeemable paper
currency, with it's fluctuations of value, is
one of the great obstacles to revival OF
confidence and business, and to a return
of prosperity. That uncertainty can be
ended in but one way-the resumption OF
specie payments. But the longer the in
stability of our money system. is permit
ted to continue, the greater will1be the in
injury inflicted upon our economical in
terests and all classes of society. II
elected, i shall approve every appropriate
measure to accomplishing desired end
and shall oppose any step Backward
The resolution with respect to the public
school system is one which should re-
ceive the hearty support of the American
people. Agitation upon this subject is
to be apprehended, until, by constitution
al amendment, the schools are placed be-
yond all danger of sectarian control or
interference. The Republican party is
pledged to- secure such On amendment.
The resolution of the Convention on
the subject Of the permanent paci6cation
of the country, and the complete protec-
ton OF all its citizens in the free enjoy
ment Of all Of their constitutional rights,
is timely and Of great importance. The