The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-09-27
ooNKLTNGs NEW YORK STATE
CONVENTION.
Hayes Civil Service Ma
chine Condemned.
The oHice-holder's Right to Run the
Political Machine Demanded.
A Demand for Immediate Resumption
Hayes Title to the Presidency is not Al
mitted.

ROCHESTER, Sept. 26.-The committee
on organization reported Roscoe Conkling
for permanent president. Agreed to.
Mr.. Conkling took position in one of
the aisles, and after acknowledging the
honor, suggested that it would facilitate
the business of the convention and accom-
modate him (Conklingl to have the chair
retain his position. 1t would enable him
tc take full share of the responsibility of
whatever may be said or done or decided
to refuse to be done by this convention.
He therefore moved that his name be
stricken from the report, and that L. q.
Platt be made permanent chairman OF this
convention.
Mr.. Forster. of Westchester, hoped the
motion would not prevail. in view OF the
remarks OF the temporary chairman at the
opening of the session. 1t was calculated
to put the convention in a false attitude
before the Republican party and people of
this state. He proceeded to critieise the
bad taste Of the temporary chairman 10 his
opening remarks.
Mr.. Conkling's motion prevailed-yeas
2l0, nays ll0, and MIR, Platt was chosen
permanent chairman.
On resuming the chair Platt returned
thanks to the convention. He then called
for the report of the committee on resOlu
tions. The following resolutions were then
read:
The Republicans of New Yrrk, true to
the achievements of unequalled history
and faithful to the demands of uncomplet-
edsmission, make the following declara-
tions. The Office of the government is TO
conserve order, peace and safety, and to
protect every citizen in the enjoyment of
every right implied by the constitution and
laws; unity and traternal relations in all
states and sections, and between all states
and sections is of the first and highest
importance, and the republican party OF
New York will heartily support every
measure authorized by law adapted to Cs-
tablishing and maintaining commercial aud
industrial prosperity and tranquility, JUS
tice and obedience to lawful authority.
| The constitution o7dains that the United
States shall guarantee to every state in this
union republican form of government.
The only republican government known to
| the constitution of any American state is
| government chosen by the people. The
question whether a case has arisen re-
quiring the president to employ military
forces to protect state authority against
domestic violence is by the constitution
committed to lis decision and to bis re-
sponsibiIity. Taking no issue with any
decision OF this kind which has been made
by the national executive in respect to the
employment Of troops, and expressing no
opinion in regard to the methods and at
tendant proceedings employed 10 any in-
stance, we cherish the hope that the action
taken 10 relation to the southern states
will result in peace, tranquility and jus
tIce, and no act of the repu. Ecans OF New
\ ork conducive to its good effect shall be
withheld We insist on purity, lrugality
and efficiency in every branch of the pub.
lie service, national and state To that
end we hold these requirements practical
and just:
First. No needless Office or officer or
public agent should exist
2 Compensation for official service
should be fair and just, but in no cass
excessive.
g. Fit men and no others should ho!G
public trusts.
4. Every official, high or low, should bt
required at all times to faithfully perform
his duty and the whole of it.
s. No official or offce-holder should b.
subject to POLITICAL or partisan assess
his political rights or actions, and plaiH
laws should forbid and punish all attempt
to make or enforce such assessments or t
control or abridge il any respect absolute
freedom in political action which in thi
country belongs to all voters alike. Ii
connection with this subject we recur witt
satisfaction to that portion of the letter o
acceptance of Mr.. Hayes, wherein he de
Ill ~ 81 &C
meant that the officer should be secure il
his tenure as long as his personal character
remained untarnished aud the Performance
of his. duties satisfactory. In furtheranc
' of this view We commend as worthy of con
sideration legislation making officers Sc
cure in a limited tenure and subject to re
moval as officers under state laws are re
movable 10 this state, on charges to b
regularly and openly preferred and ad
Judged. We hold honest service or labo
the best and highest exertion for a
American citizen, and those whose labo
tor others, whether for government or fo
private employers, are as fully entitled a
any citizen can be to absolute freedom i
y all political civil and religious affairs
8 They owe the full service they agree t
render and to their employers they ow
nothing more TIE constitution of tn
United States and of the state of Me-
York, and the laws. established equs
,g rights for all citizens and all voters. an
70 we deprecate as unwarrantable and hurtfu
all attempts by employers, whether repr,
senting capital or political power, TO er
croach upon OF coerce others In the en-
joymeDt of any of the rights, or th
exercise of any duties OF citizenshi
In the state of New York tt
whole number of national ofic
h. holders, including clerks and subord
mates of every degree, is 7,465. Th
is one national official or subord
nate to 152 voters. Of state, county ar
town officials, there are IN this sta
1858. This is one state, county or TOW
official to every 81 voters. When the p
litical function of local officers are tak'
40 into account, their nearness to the citizt
V; and their power over his property, tax
ice and interest, their relative influence b,
80 comes even greater than the numbers
dicated. The exclusion Of public servan
from political action would disiranchise
great body of our fellow citizens. II
!. law means no such exclusion, and we del
'sh as an imputation upon the people of M
York that they are or haye heen domIu
ted by the nation's subordinate of6cia
and We can conceive of no condition
affairs short of the extinction of manic
and patriotion in which postmaster
clerk could subdue to his partisan will /
10 other electors or exert anv other inhuen
beyond such as bis character might gi
him.
6. The public faith, honest indusi
. and general prosperity demand sou
currency of coin and paper conVertiI