Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-03-10
A CHANCE FOR REFORM.

sion has been carried into effect by the
peacssul Inauguration of President Hayes.
That this result was unlocked for and un-
expected on the part of a large elemen: Of
our people we do not feel disposed to
question. So near were the chances
balanced on some Of the disputed points,
that is was a matter of doubt 20 which
side the victory would fall, aud let it fall
where it might, there was bound to be
dissatisfaction with portion OF the de-
feated party. We hope, for the future of
our country THAI no such emergency as
that through which we have just passed
will ever again arise in the affairs of the
nation, that the precedent established to
settle the Presidency and prevent a col
lission between the adherents of the rival
candidates, will never again be invoked
to justify a departure from the forms
which have been adhered to since the
founding of the Republic But as patri-
otic minds conceived the idea Of the Com
mission, to decide question on which
there was an honest difference Of opinion,
and rs the work Of that commission has
now been carried out by :he Inauguration
of Hayes and Wheeler, the chickering's of
the Presidential contest should pass away,
in the same manner AS in other years.
Whether this shall be the case will de-
pend, in a great measure upon the in
coming administration. If Mr.. Hayes
carries out to the letter the principles laid
down in his letter Of acceptance, it will be
easy for the defeated party to acquiesce.in
the result. We believe he will do so, and
his inaugural message would seem to JUS
tify that belief. If there is any one thing
more than another which has been estab-
lished by the late election, it is that the
people want "reiorm." That watch
word was carried by the Democrats into
the campaign on every stump, it stuck
out glaringly in every Democratic news
paper, and bristled from every plank OF
Democratic platforms. In this cry for
reform many joined who scarce knew the
meaning Of the word in its political sense.
! Where Reform was made such party
shbboleth, they thought matters must be
bad, indeed. In the glare Of this Demo-
cratic new light, the true reform indicat-
ed IN Mr.. Hayes letter OF acceptance was
lost sight Of While Democratic leaders
were mouthing this cry, Republicans
could see in the character OF Mr. Hayes
principal supporters tlucr criterion of
true reform that what all the Democratic
promises furnished. 1t was self-evident
that the Civil Service Reform so impera
lively demanded could have no place un-
der Mr.. Tilden's administration. That
doctrine would have to be abandoned in
favor of Mr.. Marcy's precept, that 'to
the victors belong the spoils." But there
is no question but many, very many,
were deceived by this specous cry, and
flliy believed that with an administration
under Democratic auspices, the wheels OF
government would run much more
smoothly and cheapy, and that there
would be al era Of genuine reform in all
departments ofgOvernment. In the light
which the Oregon affair and other devel-
opments have thrown upon Mr.. Tilden
since his nomination upon reform
platform, there is not a great deal of
paomise for the fullfllment of the pro les-
sions 50 lavishly made, but that is only
useful uow, as showing danger from
which the people have escaped. We rec
ognize the fact that beyond all The bogus
promises of the Democratic party, there
is feeling in the masses Of the people
which demands such a change in the con-
duct Of government affair as will be at
once apparent. And ifthis change comes
under the administration of Mr.. Hayes,
it will as well meet the popular demand
as under the administrators Of another.
We do not believe that "Reform is
necessary" to so great an extent as our
Democratic friends would inculcate. The
"reform" card was played for ali it was
worth, and great deal more. Reform is
almost always necessary to some extent,
it would be a wonder if it were not. In
n government requiring the services of
so many in its various branches of SER
vice, it would be a good sign of The ap-
proach of the millennium if every one was
| homes. AS it is, there i more honesty
in public than in private liIe-ess delal-
cation among those engaged in the pub
lie service than in an equal number hav-
ing private business trusts. Where the
real reform will come in, is in the reten-
ton of officers Of tried capacity; the
punishment of all who are laithless to
their trust. Such we believe, will be one
! feature of Hayes administration.
Such, at least we infer from the tone
Of tie two documents which form the
clue to what bis administration will be.
Ii such prove to be the case it will 60 a
long way toward healing any feeling OF
dissatisfaction existing in the minds OF
those who believe Mr.. Tilden had ma
jorty Ok the electoral votes. For the peo-
pie are not in love with the Democratic
party. The fact that it claimed its
"Solid South" and attempted 10 make
that claim good by violence and intimida-
ton is too well proven. The atternpt
failed-through the very means by which
it was sought to be brought about, and
will prove lesson for the future.
sa-s..--.s-s-----a-Ess---.
THE political ledger foots up in this
way in the opinion of the Springfield
UjHOn: "The Democrats have game d Il