The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1880-01-09
wAsnISGToS LETTER.
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wAsntxorox, D. q. Dec. q.

WAsniSarov, d. O., Dec. "a.
Editor Democrat
There will shortly commence here
the liveliest intrigue FOR the Republican
Presidential nomination ever witncssed.
With Don Cameron at tho head Of the
National Committce,re representing Grant,
and such an unscrupulous trio as Conk-
ling, Blaine and John Sherman schem.
ing and wire.pulling for themselves as
candidates, IL promises to become one
Of tho most corrupt contests on record.
Don Cameron Is worthy successor for
Zach. Chandler His traits and train.
ing, and the traditions Of tho Cameron
school Of politicians, are in beautiful
harmony with the theories illustrated
in the official acts Of his predecessor.
Besides, be has "bar'l" and Is always
ready to use it. Ono thing notice in
connection with the proceedings Of the
committee is that Mr.. Geo. @. Gorham
was not deposed. Gorham INDUCED in
little rebellion against the ring candi-
date for Governor Of California in the
last election, and tho State organization
sent on request to have him removed
from tho National Committee. But
Gorham assumed a defiant attitude, and
justified his course by showing that il
was not personal, but simply Gght
against the railroad ring in his State.
lie says tie party had better paddle
close to shore, or they will lose the State
in the Presidential election, and the
Senatorsbip. Tho Democrats, be be-
lioves, will not be divided as they were
this year, and unless tho Republicans
cut loose from Perkins and the railroad
ring they are gone.
The friends Of Senator Pendletonu =
bill to give Cabinet ministers seats on
the floor Of the two Houses urge him
TO bring forward that measure and
pIess il as speedily as possible. It will
have support from both 6ides Of the
SeEato. Hayes said nothing about it
in his cant about civil service reform,
but it is urged by tho advocates Of the
measure that one Of its moat important
results would be the publication Of the
civil service, because the heads Of De
pa.tments could then be openly inlerro-
gated concerning abuses, and would be
forced TO make public answer, and the
attention Of the country could thus be
fixed upon the misuscs Of tho civil ser
vice for PARTISAN purposes. 1t would
give a vigilant minority the power to
chsctually expose to the country that
interference Of ofIice-holders in politics
which Hayer once said he thought dan.
gerous. It was shrewdly said hero moi
long age that the power and influences
Of the army Of Office holders has be
come so great that those opposed to
them need TO have a two-thirds msjor
ity to begin with before they hope te
carry an election. In other words, thai
one-third Of the voters, plus the power
Of the Office holders when these engage
actively in politics, is equal 70 two
thirds Of the voters opposed TO chem.
The Republicans make n very wry
face over small dose Of their own
medicine. 1t was a slick job, they
thought, TO steal the Presidency by the
counting out" process. But now tha,
the same game is being played in the
little State Of Maine there is bur.lood
ON the face of the moon. Undoubtedly
the Governor and his Council, who are
mostly Ell Republicans, have followed
the strict letter of the law, and have
taken step toward the correction Of
the loose methods that have grown up
under continued Republican practices.
Yet after all, and granting the election
was carried by bribery and corruption,
of which there is no doubt, ] believe it
would have been better policy TO lie. the
Republican party enjoy a monopoly of
the methods of Madison Wells and his
associate ballot thieves An opposition
Legislature in Maine, however, may
act as a wholesome check upon the
schemes to steal the State of New York
by legislative manipulation. Poor old
Hannibal Hamlin sorrowfully admits
that it will. PHoNo.