The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-03-11
The Newest Party.

'oes "eeh III discovering anu Interviewing
a leader of the proposed new party,
about which mysterious hints have been
given out lately. He was entirely frank
in disclosing its objects, though he pre-
fers that his name should he withheld
for the present.
After the weather and state OF health
had been disposed Of the interview was
opened, and was substantially as fol.
lows:
INTERvIEwER What is to be the
name OF our new party 7"
LEADER -"It is to be known as the
Rational Cleanback party. The only OBJ
lection to the name is that 1t sounds q
little like the National Greenhack party,
but our principles are long way ahead
of that party. In fact the name is in
tended to show that we 60 clean hack to
first principles-clean back behind all
our troubles, to start anew with clean
slate"
l-"Then ] suppose you intend to
pay off the public debt with greenbacks
as fast as they can be printed p
L-"Public debt be hanged! That is
one of the smallest troubles we have,
and there is where we expect to scoop
up the Greenbackers. What difference
does it make to nine tentbs OF the peo
pie what becomes Of the public debt ?
I'll tell you what's the Watter, and don't
you forget It. Ifs Ms sfioate debts that
scory the people. WE INTEND TO WIPE
THEM OUT"
I.-"Pass a sort Of general repudia-
ton law, eh?'
L-"Nct exactly that, though it
amounts to the same thing. We intend
to issue greenbocks enough to pay off all
the private debts. There will then be
money enough in the country to run all
the business on strictly cash basis.
Then, sir, there will be no such q thing
as failure in business ever heard of.
There will be no collections to make, no
sheriff's sales, nothing for lawyers to do,
and but little for the courts AS to
banks, they will all be banished as relics
of barbarism."
I.-Well that Is q pretty thorough
programme so far as it goes, but have
you no other reforms than these 6nan-
cial schemes2"
L-Of course we have. Our plan in
cludes revolution Of our whole system
OF government Old fogyism has kept
the country tied hand and foot long
enough. The old parties are hopelessly
committed to what they call the princi-
pies of the Fathers of the Republic, and
even the Greenbackers are merely milk
and water. Their proposition to grind
out two thousand millions Of dollars to
pay off the public debt, has the merit at
bottom Of being population; but the
leaders of that party are too timid. or
else their ideas are too contracted. To
pay the public debtin greenbacks, and
then repudiate the greenbacks brings
about good result, but the true doctrine
is open and direct reputation Of the
public debt, and the issuing OF green
backs to pay off the private debts"
I.-"But you are forgetting about
your other reforms"
L-"True enough. We will abolish
the costly, cumbersome and demoraliz-
ing method of selecting officers Elec-
tions are the cause of one-fourth of all
the corruption and one.half of all the
lying in the country. Besides this they
tend to excitement, bitter feeling and
idle and vicious habits. And further
more officials are grossly overpaid. The
whole system must be uprooted, sir, and
purity and economy must prevail"
I-aBu. what are the details of your
new system p
1--we will receive sealed proposals
for all Offices, sir, and award them to the
lowest bidder. Look, for example, q,
our Superintendent Of the Indrmary, and
our County Auditor. The Superintend
ent is selected under our system and gets
three or four hundred dollars year
while the Auditor is elected under thu
present vicious system, and gets two
thousand. Yet there are plenty Of mel
who would rather do the work of the Au
ditor than that of the Superintendent"
/ I-"But what guarantee would yo'
have of fitness under your plan2 4
good Superintendent might make yer.
sorry Auditor"
/ L.-"lt is very simple, sir. Have ex
aminations under something like GRANT
Civil Service Rules, or as school teach
ers are examined, and receive bid fror
no one who does not hold a certificate
Here, you see, the closest economy an
the greatest efficiency will both be 81
cured Now right here is where we hay
!, another immense advantage over 'Squil
FRANK FLISr's party He timidly r.
= quests his successful candidates to ps
= back one-third of their salaries and fee
j This is milk for babes; we want me
, for strong men. His men can do
they please about. remitting a part
their wages, and thereis reason to b
lieve they will please not to do it."
i I.-"What reason?'
: L--aWell it is human nature TO g
and to hold. And If am not wrong
informed there are number of pub
: officials now belonging to FLINT's part
!, and I think I am safe in saying that n
= a man of them has ever covered d.