Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-11-16

in favor of civil-service reform until
years after it had been made sub
iect Of agitation by prominent Re
publicans. Since the defeat of the
party in 1880, in states which were
Republican, Democrats have declar-
ed themselves in its favor. In the
South, where they feel strong and
secure, they neither profess nor prac-
tice it, methods. All the work done
to bui d up a public sentiment in its
favor has been done by Republicans.
1t is true that Pendleton IF Ohio
compiled a speech on the subject
last winter, but, during the recent
canvass in his state, he succumbe d
so far to party pressure as TO apollo
gize for it, and explain that, even ii
his bill were to become law, means
could be contriyed to give the Offices
TO Democrats.
The Republicans have been and
viii continue to be the pioneers Cd
all the lines of reform and progress.
They have for the moment reyolted,
not against their principles, but
against the men who, by acct dent or
| inalvertence, have obtained control
of the party orgaization, and had
! failed to keep up with the march of
opinion. The leaders of such a par
" must keep abreast with the ideas
of their time. They must not lin
yer in the ruts of the past, nor hope
to justify and perpetnate practices
which an enlightened public senti-
ment condemns by quoting abund
ant precedents as a warrant for their
/ continuance.
While the Democrats may claim
the result in New York as their vic
tory, and will enjoy the immediate
fruits of it, it is The work of the Re
/ publicans. BY it they emphasize
their demand for reorganization Of
the party, with clean, able and patri
otic men as its leaders. In these
busy aud piping times of general
prosperity, the people themselves
have toosmuch neglected their poIlt
/ ltdI duJlCHs II ilds bCCi plODlltotN
period for mediocrity, and something
below mediocrity, to find its way to
places which only real abiiity should
be able to reach "Small bat and
wren house in the oak" Men who
had no right to aspire to such places,
who we're fitted by education and
ability for no higher role than local
politicians, have occupied too many
seats in the National Legislature
They are often good errand boys at
the capital, dlligent distributors OF
seeds and documents, but they have
no higher conception of the duCies
of a representative than to perform
these services and work for some
appropriation for their district, and
no capacity for anything else. In
consequence of the increasing mum
Der of this class of persons sent TO
Congress, the position of represen
tatiye has ceased TO be held in honor,
as was the case in former times.
/ They have also of late shown a dis
position to combine and take posses
sion of the organization of Congress.
The first rate men in the present
House were passed over and one Of
The mrdiocrities placed in the speak
er's chair. That bit of folly alone
contributed largely to bring the
present body into disfepute, and
prominent among the reforms which
are needed, and which must origi-
nate with the people themselves, is
that of disregarding the eagerness
and pressure of mediocrity and of
demanding higher grade of talent
and fitness in the selection of candi-
dates. 4Nlcauhee Sentinel.