Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-19
PURITY OF ELECTIONS.


some expression OF my own views.
PURITY OF ELECTIONS.
The right and duty to secure honesty and order in
popular elections is d matter vital that must
stand in the front. The authority OF the National
Government to preserve from fraud and force elections
at which its officers chosen is chief point
on which the two parties are plainly and intensely
opposed. The acts OF Congress for years have
in New York and elsewhere done much to curb the
violence and wrong to which the ballot and count
have been again and again ubjectei-sometimeS
despoiling great cities, sometimes sitting the voice
OF whole State, often seating not onlyin Congress
but on the bench and in Legislatures numbers
of members never chosen by the people. The Dem
ocratic party since gaining possession OF the two
Houses Of Congress, has made these laws the object
of bitter and eeaseless assault and despite all re-
sistance has bedged them with restrictions, cum
ningly contrived, TO battle and paralyZe them. This
aggressive majority boldly attempted to extort from
the Executive his approval Cf various
enactments destructive Of these election laws
by revolutionary threats that constitutional
exercise Of the veto power would be punished by
withholding the appropriations necessary to carry
the Government, and these threats were actually
carried out by refusing needed appropriations and
by forcing an extra session of Congress- lasting for
months and resulting in concessions TO this usurp-
ing demand which are likely in many States to SUBJ
ject the M jority to the awess will OF minority
0mnous sigds of public disapproyal alone subdued
this arrogant power into q sullen surrender for the
time being OF part CT It's demands The Republican
party has strongly approved the stern refusal OF It's
representatives to suffer the overthrow Of statutes
believed to be Statutory, and just as it always in
sisted, it now insists that the Government OF the
United States of America is empowered and in duty
bound to effectually protect the elections denoted
by the Constitution as national. More than this,
the Republican rarty holds to the cardinal
point in its creed that the Government
should by every means known to the Constitution.
protect all American citizens everywhere i'll full
enjoyment of their political and civil rights. As
great part Of its work OF reconstruction, the Re-
hall.
saye as his right and defense. A large increase
in the number OF members OF Congress and Of the
Electoral College from former lave-holding States
the immediate result. The history of recent
years abonnds in evidence that in many ways and in
many places especially where the number has been
great enough to endanger Democratic control,
the very men by VIII Sc elevation to citi-
Mas effected haSe been de5asd aDd
robbed Of their voice ard their vote. 1t is true that
State statute constitution, in so man; words,
denies or abridges the exercise Of their political
rights but the means employed to bar their way are
less effectuai. 1t is suggestive and startling
thought that the increased power derived from the
enfranchisement of race now denied its share III
governing the country, welded by those who lately
sought the overthrow of the Government, is now
the sole reliance to defeat the party which repre-
sented the sovereignty and nationality oi the An.eri
people in the greatest crisis OF our history IT,
pGblicans cherish none of the resenments Witch
may have animated them during the actual coL q
of the army. They long for ,ull and real :,
ella ion between the sections which ro-;-
essly and lanen,ably at strife. They sincCrei; :
fer the hand Of good will bat they ask in
return a pledge OF good faith. They 6c-ply
feel that the party whoss career is so iustriou .
great and patriotic achievement will not full is
destiny until peace aud prosperity are establish; in
all the land until liberty OF thought conscience
and action and equality OF opportunity shall not be
merely cold forrnaites OF the statutes, but lvins
biithrights which the humble may confidently claim
and the powerful dare not deny.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
The resolution referring to the public service
seems to me 10 be deserving OF approval Surely
should be the incumbent OF Office the duties
oil which he is Tor cause unfit to perform, who is
lacking in the ability, fidelity or integrity which
proper administration Of such Office demands This
sentiment would doubtless meet with general aclui
nee but opinion mas been widely divided upon the
wisdom and acticbiity OF the various refornatory
schemes which have been suggested and of certain
proposed regulations governing appointments TO
public office. the efficiency OF such regulations hiss
been 6istrlsted, mainly because they have seemed
to exat mere educational and abstract tests above
general business capacity, and even spec al fitness
for the particular work in hand. 1t seems to me
that the rules which should be applied to the man
ageinent Of the public service may be properly
formed in the main TO such as regulate the
conduct of successful private business.
Original appointments should be based upon
ascertai ed fitness The tenure Of Office should
he stable Positions of responsibility should, far
practicable be filled by promotion of worthy,
efficient officers. The investigation of all COM
plants and the punishment of all official misconduct
should be prompt and thorough. These views,
which have long held, repeatedly declared and
uniformly applied when called upon to act, find
embodied in the resolution, which OF course APP
prove
will add that by the acceptance Of public Office,
whether high or low, one does not, in my judgment,
escape of his responsibility as citizen, or lose
or impair any of his rights as citizen, and that he
should enjoy absolute liberty to think and speak
and act in political matters according to his
will and conscience, provided only that he hon.
orably faithfully and fully discharges all his official
duties.
The resumption of specie payments, one of the
fruits OF Republican policy. hiss brought return Of
abundant prosperity and the settlement OF many
distractDg questions. The restoration Of sound
money, the large reduction Of our public debt and
the burien of interest, the high advancement of
public ereGit all attest the ability and courage OF
the Republican party to deal with such financial
problems az may hereafter demand solution. Our
paper currency, now as good as gold and silver is
performing is legitimate function for purposes OF
change. he principles VIII CHI should govern the
relations Of those elements Of currency are simple
and clear. There must be no detefiorated coin, no
deprecated paper, and every dollar, whether of
metal paper, should stand the test OF the worlds
fixed standard
POPULAR EDUCATION.
The value of popular education hardly be
oyerstated. Although its interest must of neces-
sity be chiefly conded TO voluntary effort and the
INDIVIDUAL action OF tGe SeSefai
be encouraged, far as the Constitution permits,
by the generous cooperation of the National Gov
eminent The interests OF the whole country de-
mand that the advantages OF our common school
system should be brought within the reach Of every
citizen, and that Of the nation States
should be devoted to The support Of sectarian
schools.
THE TARIFF QUEsTION-INTERNAL IMPROVE
MESTs, ETC.
Such changes should be made in the present tariff
system OF taxation will relieve over burdened
industr or class, and enable our manufacturers and
artisans to compete successfully with those Of other
lands.
The Government should aid works of internal
improvement national in their character and should
promote development of our water courses aud
harbors wherever the general interests Of commerce
require it.
Four years ago. now, the nation stood at the
threshold OF a Presidential election, and the Re-
publican party, in soliciting continuance OF its
ascendancy, founded its hope OF success not upon
its promises but upon its history. Its subsequent
course has been such as to strengthen the claims
which were then made TO the confidence ami support
of the country. On the other hand, considerations
more urgent than ever before existed forbid the
accession Of its opponents to power. Their sue
cess, IL success attends them must chiefly
come from the united support OF that section which
sough5 a f5rcible disruption OF the Union, and
which, according To all teachings OF past his DRY,
will demand ascendency in the councils OF the party
10 whose triumph it will have made by far the
largest contribution. There is the gravest for
apprehension that exorbi;ant claims upon the
public treasury by no means limited to the hun
dreis Of millions already covered by bills introduced