The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-11-23

an end, my earnest hope is that the
Democratic party, which has now
had long training in adversely, may
fully comprehend the situation and
not belittle itself by classifying the
late elections as mere party trlumphs-
1t matters little how the result was
caused. 1t illustrates the power
of the people, acting i'll their pri-
mary capacity as citizens at the polls,
10 relieve themselves from bad rul-
ers and evil methods by the peaceful
forms of election; and this vindicates
the American principle of govern
IN Mt.
"The result now is to throw the
control of the governments of the
group of central states-those chief
in wealth, population and political
influence-under the control of the
Democratic party. 1t also gives to
the same party the control of the
next house of representatives in con-
gress, and quite probably of the sem
ate as well and III addition a strong
present probability, almost logi-
cal in it's certainty. of add
ing the control of the executive
branch in 1884 This all means a
present promise of an entry by the
Democratic party upon long lease
of public power; and to make this
certain, and blessing to the whole
country, it is necessary that the
party should be true to the princ'-
pies upon which 1t was founded, and
which if applied now to existing is
sues will be recognized as wise by
men of ali parties.
"The civil service reform must be
taken up and completed, so as to
prevent the public offices of the
country from being any longer
pros ltuted into being the mere
spoils of party conquest. The
tenure of the great body of these
offices-which are simply ministe-
rial in their nature-must depend
solely upon efficiency and good be-
havior and not upon the mere ebb
and flow of the party power. This
step alone, once resOlutely taken,
will clear the political atmosphere
of much of its present obscurity and
danger. 1t will baulsh 'bossism,
from our state and national poll
tics, and allow the measures of
craftsmanship to replace official
brokerage, by removing from the
minds of the corps of official SER
wants of the country the periodical
distress caused them by the fear OF
losing their means of livelihood, or
of being bled by political assess
ments which every election brings
about.
Il need say nothing OF the increas-
ed economy and efficiency of the pub.
lie service that would follow. The
disposition and power so dangerous
lY exhibited by the present federal
administration to inter fere in the To-
cal elections and government of the
states would not only be discour-
aged, but rendered almost impossi-
bic. Such disgraceful bargains as
those lately made by the admin
tration with Malone in Virginia
and Cash and Chalmers in
Carolina and Mississippi, would not
again stain our political history I;
and Capitalization of power would
also receive a much needed and i'm.
portant check. Having thus put the
machinery of administration upon a
proper basis, the re-establishment of
just and sound principles of taxa
ton will become the most i'm
portant duty of the Democratic
party. Under the present conglom-
Grated mass of tax laws the gross
est injustice and class favoritism
is accomplished. There is no task
higher or more important than that
of insisting that no law shall remain
upon the statute books under which
the private property of one citizen is
taken for the private use of another,
public property for private use, or
private property for public use,
without just compensation to the
owner.
alt is mere summing up OF the
present system of tariff to say that
it accomplishes all three of these in
lquitous and unwarranted results.
War measures are inadmissible in
time of peace. War taxes ought to
be temporary only, whereas we now
see that certain favored classes of
our citizens have wrought them
selves into the absurd belief that
they have certain vested rights in
the perpetuatioD of unequal taxes
to their personal benefit upon
the whole body of their fellow
countryInen. To state the issue
broadly, and yet accurately, the peo-
pie of the United States are threat
ened with the substitution of plu-
tocracy instead of republicanism as
a basis of their government.
"The reduction of taxation, the
simplification of tax laws, the in
sistance upon the principle that
revenue shall be the object
and protection only the in
cident of tax laws, are the Cbvi.
Gus duties of the party assuming to
administer the affairs of our govern
ment. Under such an administra-
ton, founded upon such principles,
and purified from the abuses and
corrupt influences which have
caused the Republican party to fall
to pieces in the late elections, Lean
see q long course of growing pros
perity, happiness and honor to our
country, which will strengthen the
cause of self government by the peo-
pie all over the civilized world"