The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-11-14
The Retreat and Accomplishments.

When President Hayes started off
with flourish Of trumpets to forbid
office-holders from interfering with
elections he appealed to the higher
sentiment of the best men in his party.
He struck vein of moral sentiment
which commanded respect, and did
much to quiet the public mind in view
of the wicked means whereby he was
elevated to Office. But it is now evil
dent that new trick has been palmed
off on the people. The exigency of
the situation in Massachusetts has de-
veloped the conviction at Washington
that there is no hope of Rice's cleo
ton without the active aid of Federal
Office holders, and for all practical
purposes Gen. Deven's letter OF inter-
probation is a complete abrogation of
the civil service rule. 1t is so under
stood at the Custom House, as is man
ifest from the appearance of Collector
Simmons on the platform Saturday
evening and his well known activity
in various directions. Thus early in
the history Of this reform Administra-
ton is it shown, either that the Pres
ident was insincere in his professions
or that at somebody's bidding he has
succumbed to the corrupting influences
which surrounded and controlled the
preceding Administration. In either
case there is evidently no hope tor
civil service reform under Hayes. If
the rule promulgated did not plainly
mean that Office holders should abstain
from active participation in party pol
itics, there was no virtue in it. If it
did so mean, it did not require, on tho
eve of our election, an official inter-
probation from the Attorney General
which completely robs it of any virtue.
No wonder George w. Curtis de-
clined to speak at. Faneuil Hall.
Conkling's insulting speech was bad
enough, but his triumph in compelling
Hayes to completely back down leaves
him and all civil service reformers high
and dry upon stranded shore. Aud
yet the public ear is doubtless to be
Disguised with the pretence that there
has been no abandonment of the prin-
ciple. The reverend clergy who have
lent the influence of their names to
help re-elect Rice, one of whom Off
ciatcs as a Vice President at Satur-
day night rallying meeting, another Of
whom writes letter urging the young
men on in the same detection because
Hayes is himself honest and earnest,
and another Of whom invokes the Ba-
CONAN philosophy to encourage these
youthful civil service reformers in Sc
curing "the disestabtishment of the
machine in politics"-yes, these emi-
nent guardians of public morals, who,
in their Sunday desks can drive their
lances at each other for endangeriDg
salvation of souls by perversions Of
religious truth, can unite together on u
Saturday night to rally. the "yonng
men" Of Boston to the support IF Rice,
to help "civil service REFORM" and ex-
peet their Sunday listeners to profit
from ministyations thus nurtnred and
ripened for spiritual leuitage This
whole thing is aptly illustrated BY that
sick son Of Erin who was altogether
too fond of wl,iskey. The doctor On
being called to the bedside Of his snf-
fering patient and discovered hottle
on the stand near by, demonstrated
with his patient, and directed him to
discard his whiskey and put himself
upon milk diet. At the next call tie
physician found the bottle snpplanted
by bowl of milk, bnt there MAS an
odor about it which betrayed q dire
gard Of his prescription. This called
forth severe rebuke from the doctor
aid ELECTED the following reply,
Eyer honor, l know it all intirely.
'Tis true there's sprinklin' Of whisky
in the bowl, but ye see ills the milk
I'm after.'-[Boston Post.