The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-18
The Voice of an. Independent.
Why Ex-Gov. Austin Blair OF Michigan
Will Vote for Garfield.

Ex-Gov. Austin Blair, of Michigan in his
recent speech at the Republican County Con-
vention in Jackson in that State, said:
GAS for myself am not here to apologize for
anything have done or to take anything back
My position has been for sone years past that
of an independent in politics, and can assure
you there is some solid comfort in indepen-
dence. But have seen clearly for some time
past that the issues were being steadily made
up between the two great parties, and the time
was rapidly approaching when there would re-
main no middle ground, and every citizen
would find himself compelled 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 concern the administration of
the Government under its changed Constitu-
tion and laws, must rise into prominence and
the positions taken now are likely to be endur-
ing. The Chicago Convention recognized this
in placing in nomination for the Presidency a
civilian with well-knOwn record in public
affairs. 1t indicates the willingness of the par
ty to lay aside, to some extent at least, the old
war issues and 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 convic-
tions; and while perhaps, it would not
be quite true to say as my friend, Mr..
Loomis has said, that l have always
been Republican, (and 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 always supported the
tariff for revenue, with duties so adjusted as
to afford incidental protection to American in
dustrles. Holding these views how could L
vote for party whose platform distinctly de-
clares for tariff for revenue only. Then upon
the financial issue, which / regard as vital,
the Republican party has d record of fidelity
to honest money, but the Democratic record
is quite otherwise. 1t seems upon this subject
to conform its theories to the single purpose .of
catching votes. Itis enough to say that it can
not be relied upon to protect the country
against the yagaries of Greenbackism.
1t is now almost everywhere dickerng
with the Greenback people, and ON
the question of honest money seems to have
fairly object if men of my ways of thinking
go the Republicans for the purpose of MAIN
tanning sound currency? The reform of the
civil service has been for many years with me
matter of the first Importance. In this mat
ter the Republicans have not risen in practice
to the height of their promises. Not very much
i'll 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, disposition to abandon it, but
on motion from Massachusetts it
was retained. That is something. The
Democrats complain very bitterly that the old
spoils system still remains, and reproach the
Republicans for it, But what have they done
to bring about 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 also got
possession of the Senate. And now for two
sessions they have had entire control of both
branches of Congress. Why have they not re-
formed 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 sometime they might get into
power themselves, and then spoils would not
be so very bad a thing?-that contributions
from office-holders are corruption fund only
when your adversaries have them? Can it be?
L will not detain you longer. 1t was not my
purpose to have said even so much as L have,
but merely to thank you and to assure you of
my convictions in regard to the coming cam
paign, and my determination to support Gen.
Garfield for President, as the best and fittest
thing for al. honest and patriotic citizen of my
way of thinking to do''