Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-07-31

would doubtless meet with general acA
quiescence, but opinion has been widely
divided upon the wisdom and practical
bility of the refOrmatOry schemes which
have been suggested and of certain pro-
posed regulations governing the APP
pOintment to public office. The efficien-
cy of such regulations has been disturb
ed mainly because they have seemed to
exalt mere educational and abstract
tests above general business capacity
and even special fitness for the particu-
lar work i'm hand. 1t seems to me that
the rules which should be applied to the
| management of the public service may
properly conform i'm the main to such as
regulate the conduct of successful pri-
vate business. Original appointments
| should be based upon ascertained fitness.
The tenure of office should lie
stable. Positions of responsibility
should, so far as practica bic, be filled by
the promotion of worthy and efficient
| officers. The investigation of all COM
plants and the punishment of all OFF,
clal misconduct should be prompt and
thorough. The views which have long
held, repeatedly declared and uniformly
| applied when call upon to act, find EN-
bodied in the resolution which of course
[ approve. l will add that by the accept
ance of public office, whether high or low,
one does not, in my judgment, escape the
responsibility of a citizen, or lose or i'm
pair any of his rights as a citizen, and
that he should enjoy absolute liberty to
think and speak and act in political
matters according to his own will and
conscience; provided only that he honor
ably, faithfully discharges all his Off
cial duties.
The resumption of specie payments,
one of the fruits of Republican policy,
has brought return of abundant pros
perity and the settlement of many dis
tracing questions. The restoration of
sound money the large reduction of our
public debt and the burden of interest,
the highadvancementO of the public credit,
all attest the ability and courage of the
Republican party to deal with such finan-
cial problems as may hereafter demand
solution. Our paper currency is now as
good as gold, and silver is performing
its legitimate function for the purpose
of change. The principles which should
govern the relations of these elements of
the currency are simple and clear. There
must be no deteriOrated coin, deprecated
paper, and every dollar, whether of metal
or paper, should stand the test of the
worlds fixed standard.
The value of popular education can
hardly be Over-stated. Although its iu-
terests must of necessity be cOnfided to
the voluntary efforts and the individual
action of the several states, they should
be encouraged so far as the constitution
permits by the generous cooperation of
the national government, the interests
of the whole country demand that the
advantages of our common school sys-
tenn should be brought within the reach of
every citizen, and that no revenues of
the nation should be devoted to the sup
port of sectarian schools.
Such changes should be made in the
present tariff and system of taxation as
will relieve any Over-burdened industry
or class and enable our manufacturers
and artisans to compete successfully
with those of other lands.
The government should aid the works
of the internal improvement, national
i'm character, and should promote the
development of our water courses and
harbOrs wherever the general interests
of commerce require it.
Four years ago, as now, the nation
stood at the threshold of a presidential
election and the Republican party is
soliciting a continuance of ascendency
founded its hope of success, not upon its
promises, but upon its history. It's sub
Sequent course has been such as ia
strengthen the claims which it then
made to the confidence and support OF
the country. On the other hand con-
: sideratiOns more urgent than have ever
before existed forbid the accession of its
opponents to power. Their success, il
success attend them, must chiefly come
from the united support of that section
which sought the fOrcible disruption OF
the Union and which according to all
the teachings of our past history will
J demand the recendancy in the councils
of the party to whose triumph it will
} have made by far the largest cOntribu-
ton. There is the gravest reason fol-
the apprehension that the eXOrbitant
claims upon the public treasury, by nc
means limited to hundreds of millions
already covered by bills introduced in
Congress within the past four years
would be successfully urged if the Demo.
cratic party should succeed in supple
menting its present control of the
national legislature by electing an exec.
utive also. There is danger in trusting
the control of the whole law making
power of the government to a party
which has, in almost every sOuthel D
state, repudiated obligations quite as
sacred as those to which the faith of the
natiOnsnOw stands pledged.
lido not doubt that success awaits the
republican party and that its triumph
will assure just, economical and pat.
riOtic administration.
/ am respectfully,
Your Obedient servant.