National Republican., 1877-06-29
PARTY PLATFORMS AND THE IOWA
CONVENTION

| Thhif PLATFORMS AND THE low
CONVENTION
There is no trash more worthless, as
general rule, than political platforms II
constitutes the highest merit of a writer o.
snch literature TO be able to use artfully
equirocal language, which while IL seems &c
mean something, really means nothing
Another well known fact is that the pledges
made IN platforms are seldom kept in good
hith, being considered as mere glittering
generalities, intended to catch votes.
Just prior to the beginning of the Presi-
dental campaign of 1876, however, il he
came evident to politicians that there were
certain subjects in regard to which public
sentiment was AZ thoroughly aroused that
no equivocal declarations in regard to them
would be tolerated. Two of these subjects
were civil service reform and the pacilica-
| tion Of the South. Accordingly the plat
form adopted by the Republican convention
used the plainest and clearcst language in
treating of these subjects, and pledged the
party to policy OF conciliation towards
the South, and such reform of the civil
service as would make honesty, fidelity and
capacity the only tests of fitness for official
appointments.
In regard to civil service reform the Dem
ocratic Convention reiterated in stronger
terms, if possible, the same doctrine. MIR.
HAYES, in his letter of acceptance, gave
special prominence to this subject. lie ac-
cepted the principles of the platform in
language remarkable for its clcarncss and
emphasis. He said the reform should he
thorough, radical and complete. He said
That public officers should give their whole
service to the Government and the people,
who neither expected nor desired from them
fngnN II
dress he referred to the fact that both Of the
political parties were pledged to civil service
reform in terms almost identically the same,
and expressed the belief that the people de-
sired that public officers should owe their
whole services TO the Government.
In the administration of his Office prcsi-
dent HAYES has strictly observed the prin-
ciplcs thus sOlcmnly laid down. Since he
has been in Office he has made compara-
lively few removals, and in every instance
ne mas unqucstinnahly cndeavorcd TO be
governed by rules founded upon sound in
ierrrctation of the platform upon which he
was elected. We Ito not say that in the
discharge of duty 80 difficult the Presi-
dent may not have made mistakes. and even
very serious mistakes. Being human he is
OF course liable 10 err, but upon the whole
his action must be acknowledged by every
dlsplsSonatc person to have been prudent
and wise. Even in cases in which the pub
lie was disposed To indulge i'll severe Criti-
| clsms II has turned Out that when all the
lacts and circumstances became known they
afforded abundant reasons for his iustitica-
tion. lie has made fair record upon this
subject and We challenge the strctcst
scrutiny of every appointment he has made.
confident that it will not be found that he
has Intentionally violated any principle OF
true civil service reform.
In view of all these facts we are aston
lShcd at the action of the Iowa Republican
convention, on Thursday, in adopting n
platform which indirectly dislpprOvcs OF
tne course OF the President in regard to
civil service reform. As we interpret it, il
is more emphatic upon this subject than
upon the subject of the Southern policy.
upon which the platform is really non-com-
initial. As to both these matters disap-
proval of the Presidents policy is implied
by the failure to mention his name.
But the disapproyal applies specially to
ms policy OF civil service reform, in view of
The fact that Mt the very time the conyen-
ton met great excitement prevailed through
out the country in regard to the recent or
der Of the President prohibiting Federal
oiiice-h holders from taking part in political
organizations. Silence under such circum-
stances can only mean reprooc
We think this action of the Iowa Con-
yention is deeply To lie regretted, because it
brings the good faith of the Republican
party into question. Why is civil service
reform not even mentioned? Has il ceased
to lie Republican doctrine? If the Presi-
dent has not been carrying out the reform
properly, why not say so in a manly way?
So far as the President is concerned we do
not see that he should accept the action of
the Republican convention as q personal
reprooi. lie is too good q believer in the
sovereignty of the people not TO recognize
the right of the Republicans in Iowa, or any
other State, to change their views of public
policy at any time. If they believed in
civil service reform last year and do not be-
lieve in 1t now, they have a right to say So
hut the President ought to be excused if he
is not in haste to abandon policy to which
he is solcmnly pledged until he is certain
that IL is disapproved of by the people, and
not merely by the leaders.