, 1881-09-30
THE SPILLS SYSTEM.

THE SPILLS SYSTEM.
Much comment is being made by
tho newspaper press, and an many
pulpits in the land, upon the "spoi's
system" which engendered the poiit-
zeal animosity that indirectly caused
the nation TO be bereft of its noble
executive this year. While there
cannot be much difference of opin-
ion among good citizens as to the
fact that it is high time to call halt
and put some check upon the reck-
less tendency Of the insane political
strifes of the present day, yet each
of the two leading political parties
of the country is trying to saddle the
responsibility of this now thoroughly
odious system upon the other, and to
make political capital out OF recent
developments. Without launching
into \ controversy that is partizan,
and where argument from both sides
are CO ored more or less with prejus
dice we may refer briefly to history
for facts. When General Jackson,
one Of the "good old democratic
presidents" became the chief exec
utive of the nation, he brought the
"spoils system" into being, and it
became \ settled policy of the dem
cerstic party. When the republican
party camo into power in 1850, the
policy was continued to large ex-
tent, and it has prevailed more or
less ever since. Political managers
came to look upon it as being fair to
use Just such methods for their own
advancement and the strengthening
OF their party, as they knew would
be used by their opponents in case of
the latter coming into power. The
system developed further into a most
vigorous application between rival
factions in either party, as in the case
Of Tilden and Kelly in New York,
and the stalwarts," and shalt
breeds" in the republican party in
SSffi5is Fpiissess.0H 0Hee s.as:ea there
was no limit to the growth of this
unfortunate custom which culmina-
ted in q bitter warfare that lead to
the assassination of President Gar
field. 1t has begotten spirit akin
to that which produced many revo
lutions in France, England, Spain
and other countries, and which must
be rooted ont or the world may wit
ness the melancholy spectacle of ths
disruption of OUR glorious govern
ment.
The truth is that while the demo
cratic party, was at fault for introdu
cling into politics and acting upol
the shihboleth, "To the victors be
long the spoils," the republican par
ty deserves some censure for the par
IL has taken in perpetuating such
relic of barbarism. Political leader
have been goaded on to raising "coI
ruption funds" and expending es
traordinary efforts to carry election
in closely contested states, simpl
because each side know that the ott
er would resort to the same methods
and in order to stand an 'even chanc,
they must do so too. To Undue
these enormous expenditures of mon
ey and time, promises of fat pos
tions must be made, and the success
full candidate who comes into ofic
with 3 large amount of official pa
ronage at his disposal, too often find
himself compelled to make room fc
his changers on" at the expense
the people.
To the credit of the republica
party be it said that the only reI
checks ever put upon this perniciou
"spoils system" were instituted b
republican presidents. One OF thes
incurred the displeasure of larg
number in his party; the other los
his life. Their labors in this direC
ton, however, will not bs fruillesi
because it will be the nucleus of 3
agitation that will perhaps result i
purifying of the political atmo:
Phere.
1t is stated on good authority tha
Secretary Blaine will shortly resig