The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-06-22

republican nominations. It requires only
glance to see what this sentiment is; to sc
that among democrats it is hopefulness s
sanguine as to border on over-confidenc
while the better class of republicans vainl
try to conceal their disgust and disappoint
m~ent-dissust al the scandalous proceeding
of the convention, disappointment at tn
weakness of the ticket it presented. An
that their feelings should he of this nature
not to be wondered at !; for the convention, t
the purer elements of the republican party
must have been a revelation. The uppe
have for years been urging the necessity o
reform in politics men whose aspirations ar,
towards purer methods in administration
towards reforms which would involve al
adaptation of governmental functions to the
rational civil polity Of an entire people ant
not to the welfare of a mere political party
With the abolition of slavery these men I'm.
derstood that the mission of their party was
accomplished, and that unless another aim
could Immediately be provided for it the re-
publican party must inevitably die. Such an
aim they thought they discovered in Civil
Service Reform which they have lone their
very best to have adopted as the new party
creed. Perceiving as we all must perceive
that if our institutions are to last, government
with lis must not mean principally the manip-
ulation of patronage, and that craftsmanship
must have a more comprehensive view than
the narrow range of vision which takes chiefly
into consideration the effect any proposed
measure is likely to have on "ofticers " those
leaders of the new movement were not slow
in understanding the immense claim their
party would have upon the thoughtful patri-
otisn Of the country if, through its influence,
the pernicious maxim "to the victor belong
the spoils" could be stricken from the diction-
airy of politics. To this end they bent their
best energies. To them reform meant every
thing. 1t became the paramount considera-
ton until at length they supported the repub-
lican party only because they considered it
the instrumentality through which their ideal
was more likely than through any other
offering itself to be translated into fact.
When the convention met it was only nat
ural that these dreamers, considering it a. COLI
crete representation of the republican party
doctrines, should look to it for some sort of
recognition of the doctrines cherished by the
better elements. What must have
been their CONSERVATION when their ambodi-
inent Of civil service reform, the "tenure-of-
ottice-during- good behavior" plank, proposed
by an idealist from Boston, was jseringly re-
by the convention, one delegate being
so candid RS to PROFOUND the conundrum,
' What are We here for, but for the otfices?'
The feelings of reform republicans upon wit
this spectacle can only be compared
20 those which would be entertained by the
lay members of any denomination
were they to hear that their duly appointed
pastors In convention assembled had agreed
lpon a total rejection and reputation Of
christianity. Nc wonder the Independent
'epublicans are remarking to one another;
If this is what Our party has developed 40
through twenty years of power; if it has de-
into a mere fight between the adj
lerents OF rival bosses for the control of off
'ial patronage, what claim has it on our sup
3"
But it by 10 means follows that they must |
necessarily ally themselves with the opposing
'arty. The republican platform and month";
tions are admittedly bad but the democratic
night be worse, and just now the independ- |
ut thinkers, the men, who have III hand The
alance of political power in th> United
ta'es, are holding their judgment suspended.
'etors turning from the republicans they will
AIT and see what the Democrats will lave in
'e way Of well doing to recommend them
lives as once more worthy Of trust.
In their convention, if the democrats show
lat their differences do not arise merely from
re conflicting claims Of rival bosses if they
'ove themselves to be animated by principle;
' a regard for the iati0u's welfare rather
ian by a vulgar desire to clutch office;
all, if they have the manliness to adopt
platform that means something detinite-a
atform whose free trade cannot be inter
to mean protection, whose anti-Chin-
platform cannot be translated into suni-
,rsal brotherhood of man bosli-if they do
is and select for the party standard bearer
e man whose public record and private
laracter are alike without speck or fiav, then
e cooperation of the independents can be
united on and victory is assured. But if
ey blindly follow the republicans by adopt
g a nambv PANTY platform that means any
ing or nothing, and by nominating a fourth
AIDE man as a weak compromise between
10 tirst-class candidates, then they can only
;pect the defeat they will have done their
most to deserve.
Mcclellan and Payne Is the democratic
,ket suggested by the N. Y. Truth rs certain