Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-19
The Voice Of an Independent.

The Voice Of an Independent.
Why Ex-Gov. AUSTIN BLAIR. OF MIAHIeAs.
WILL voIE FOR GARFIELD.
Ex-Gov. Austin Blair of Michigan, In his
recent speech at the republican county con-
vention at Jackson, that State. said:
"As for myself, am not here to apologize
for anything have done or to take anything
back. NY position has beer for some years that
of an independent in politics, and can as
sure you there is some solid comfort in IN
dependence. But l have seen clearly for
some time past that the issues were bs ing
steadily made up between the two great par
ties, and the time was rapidly approaching
when there would remain no middle ground,
and every citizen would find himself COM
pelled to take one side or the other. if he
took any interest at all in public affairs. As
We drift away from the war and the questions
arising Immediately out of it, those questions
of finance and taxation and reform which con-
Germ the administration of the government
under its changed Constitution and laws must
rise into prominence, and the positions taken
now are likely 10 be enduring. The Chicago
convention recognized this in placing in NOM
weIl-know record in public affairs. 1t indi-
Gates the willingness of the party to lay aside,
to some extent at least. the old war issues.
and to enter upon the discussion of those
questions of administration which are now
pressing for solution. | think it is not too
much to say that that nomination has changed
the attitude Of the party quite materially in
some respects. Upon these questions have
very decided convictions and lille, perhaps.
it would not be quite true TO say, as my friend
Mr.. Loomis has said, that have always been
a republican, land he has my candid thanks
for his kind remarks, it may be said truly
borrowing the express idea Of Mr.. Chase
that have been a republican out of practical
relations with any party. Upon the tariff
question, have alr avs supported the tariff
for revenue, with duties so adjustedas to afford
incidental protection to American industries.
Holding these views, how could vote for a
party whose platform distinctly declares for a
tariff for revenue only. Thenupon the finan-
ciai issue, which regard as vital, the repub-
lican party has record of fidelity to honest
money! but the democratic record is quite
otherwise. 1t seems upon this subject to con-
form its theories to the single purpose OF
catching votes. 1t is enough to say that it
cannot be relied upon to protect the country
against The vagaries of greenbackism. It'll now
almost everywhere dickering with the green
back people, and on the question of honest
money seems to have no sincerity anywhere.
How, then, can they fairly object if men of
my ways OF thinking go to the republicans
for the purpose of maintaining q sound cur
rency? The reform Of the civil service has
been for many years with me matter of the
first Importance. In this matter the republic
cans have not risen in practice to the height
of hair yroniSaS NOT pnurh this
direction has been done but it still stands in
the platform as one Of the purposes of the
party. There did seem, at Chicago, at one
time, a disposition to abandon it, but on a
motion from Massachusetts it was retained.
That is something. The democrats COM
plain very bitterly that the old spoils system
still remains, and reproach the republic
cans for it. But what have they done to bring
about a genuine civil service reform? The
liberal republicans joined them in 1874, and
gave them the house of representatives
which they have retained ever since; and we
kept on voting with them until they got pos
session of the senate. And now for two ses-
sions they have had entire control of both
branches of congress. Why have they not
reformed the civil service? Why have they
not passed the bill to abolish spoils, which
they knew Mr.. Hayes was signing to sign?
1t is possible that our democratic friends
have been thinking that some time they might
go into power themselves, and then spois
would not be so very bad thing?-that con-
trbutions from office-holders are a corrup-
ton fund only when your .adversaries have
them? Can it be? l will not detain you lon
ger. 1t was not my purpose to have said
even as much as have. but merely to thank
you and to assure you of my convictions in
regard to the coming campaign. and my de-
termination to support Gen. Garfield for
President, as the best and fittest thing for an
honest and patriotic citizen of my way OF
thinking to do