The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-06

ADDRESS BEFORE THE ASSOCIATION DY MR..
HORACE wHIrE-soMK SUGGESTIONS OF RE-

ADDRESS BEYoRE THE ASSOCIATION BY MR..
HORACE wH1rE-soME SUGGESTIONS OF re-
FORM.
At meeting Of the Political Science Association at
the Filth Avenue Hotel last evening, Mr.. Horace
White Of Chicago delivered an address upon the varI-
Gus phases Of political reform.
Mr.. White said that twenty I'VE years ago, or even
less, wo boasied that country was leading the
world in tho paths Of political SCIENCE and such
undoubtedly tho fact But there has been a change
Whatever Elijah Poyram may claim to the contrary,
IL Is longer true that In the van OF human
progress The world has been advancing in the direc-
ton OF FREQ institutions, but has not been following
our lead. II must BIO admitted that VIC have 10 some
extent lost reputation abroad, among republi-
cans, and especially since the close Of the So
marked has been our dccadonce that II is common
TO ascrbc the iooseness and lawlessncss that have
since prevailed to the itself al provoking
But war 49, OF all things 10 the world school
OF discipline order, method sefrcstrains rcspon-
siblIty. The million or moro OF men who served In
tho war are to-day tho more conservative and sober
part oftho communities where they reside and are the
better for having served in il. II have taken the
Goddess Of Liberty q dobauch ~ thcre s some
son 10 apprehend IL Is not because we sent vast armies
into tho field to display courage and sedenal and to
exercise for some years the highest attributes Of hui
man nature
The American plan OF government was cast in iron
mould eighty seven years ago II embraced tho awk-
parts OF tho British system oil Tho time OF George
ILL., without tho healing clement that has worked so
wonderful change In those Islands since that time.
That is embraced the principle OF executive nde
pendent OF the Legislature and OF two branches OF the
Legislature independent Of the Executive and OF each
other and all irresponsible to the people
except certain liked periods, whom they
might be punished for any mischief they have been
engaged In but only after tho mischief has been rrep
arably done. Great Britain, on tho other hand has
dispensed with her independent executive entirey,
though retaining tho outward scm5iance thereof, and
has brought tho executive and the legislature into
state OF fusion perfect that any disagreement
tween Thorn results In immediate of
their parts on the basis OF harmony aud IN strict
accordance with the popular Will. Such government
is more truly republican than any In which an inde-
pendent executive exists, whether he DO called King,
Emperor President, more republican because It
registers public opinion moro speedily aud unerringy
and with lees friction than 10 possible under our sys
for four and years respectively and continue
to this day. England, on tho other hand, has
Side and atcd the body polite in tho House Of
Commons This IS what IL called responsible govern
ment and this 4 Is which y drawing the whole world
government This principle Of rotation and fixed
terms finds It's last and most hateful expression In the
civil service as ut present constituted which Is mainly
responsible for loss OF reputation In the world and
which now calls SO loudly for reform.
THE NEW ADMINISTRATIONS.
Mr.. White passed warm enc0mium President
Hayes efforts for this reform, and said that although
he was so peculiarly constituted that he could not
the justice OF casting Mr. Tilden's votes out OF the
Louisiana ballot boxes, he should not DO behind any
body zeal sustain him In all right courses, and
especially IN this course II civil service re-
form Is wrecked now, We may never SEQ IL success
fully launched again. It's enemies watching
Tor some opportunity, no matter what, to tear Mr..
Hayes and his Cabinet In pieces. The Speaker hoped
that this association would help TO boat them of. No
reform would be possible IN any direction until tho
jungle Of tho civil SERVICE which and be-
wllders public opinion, Is torn up
Our plan OF government Is rooted In the prejudices
OF century, yet the public faith IN Its virtues
has lately received q severe shock-the Electoral
College, the very axle Of the coach, came
breaking and spillng the whole load. This would
seem to be q favorable time for re-examning tho
nature OF the structure. The speaker believed that
some tentative steps might be taken looking toward
responsible governmcnt-as, for instance making the
members OF the Cabinet cccDcio members OF tho
ecutve into closer relations with the people,
to say nothing or the betor facilities which would thus
be afforded for lransactng public business This pro-
ect seriously discussed 10 Congress ten twelve
years ago. and rejected on tho ground that tho
Executive. as the dispenser Of government patronage,
would thereby acquire an increased influence over
Congressman. II politics Is to continue to DO tho
art OF distributing prize money no reform
need be expected from mere change OF constitutional
methods But II the principles OF priyateertng are
really be laid asde there isgood ground 10 hopc
the door will soon be open TO political science, and
then II Is too much 10 expect that Americans will
take up put themselves, n not In advance of the
world least abreast OF IT'S most enlightened spirit