The daily gazette., 1882-07-11
THE PAKTY PRESS.
Views Of senator Bayard ON the Influence
of Party Newspapers and ON Certain
Needed Public Reforms.

The following letter from Senator Bayard,
which fully explains itself, has been fur
nished the GAZETTE for publication;
UNITED STATES SENATE,
WASHINGTON, June 1S.
Hon. Joseph f. Mcdonald, indianapolis.
MY DEAR SIR am much obliged TO
YOU for the invitation you sent me at the IN
stance Of the committee to be present at a
banquet TO be given by the Democrats OF
Indianapolis to the Democratic press OF In
diana.
Hoping that the session of Congress |
would be over by that time, made some
| time ago an engagement TO make an address
at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, on
| the 2Sth Instant this being the centennial
wear of Daniel Webster's birth. This en-
gagement prevented my acceptance of the
| Invitation, fact which exceedingly regret
It is hardly worth while to expatiate on the
value and power of good newspapers. They
have become essential for the daily COM
munications OF mankind, and in this broad
| land we would know very little OF what was
going on outside Of our Immediate locality
we're 1t not for newspapers and their ex-
changes.
In the organization of-a National political
| marty. which proposes to solicit power and
| confidence at the hands of the whole people,
organs for the authoritative expression and
dissemination of its sentiments and doc
trines are absolutely necessary. And the
practical and hearty support of the Demo
cratic press is a duty incumbent upon every
man who desires to see the doctrines OF con-
stitutional Democracy controlling the ad-
ministration of public affairs in preference
to that strange combination of centraliza-
/ ton, sectionalsm, corruption and higher
) law-known as the Republican party.
Therefore, rejoice to see the Democratic
, press of your State brought together to re-
ceive courtesy and respect at the hands OF
: the party apd its representative men.
e The refusal of large numbers OF thought
{ full and intelligent men of character in the
: Republican ranks in Pennsylvania, New
} York and elsewhere TO submit any longer in
= blind and stolid obedience to the tyranny OF
e the political "machine" of their party shows
1 that there is political conscience awake IN
4 the country, which, irrespective of party we
: should hail with satisfaction, and which
8 must not he underrated or misunderstood in
II the motives for its actions
IS If these men leave the Republican party
+ it is in disgust with its baseness and IN
4 search of better association-and these lat
: ter it is in our power, and It is our duty tC
supply.
nr reforms are always needed in Govern
at ment, after a long unbroken tenure OF poWe
st and place by any party, especially during
n neriod so full of excitement and revolu
1 bNS'A
al in the last 20 years.
he And l believe the country absolutely need
to and that large majority of It's citizens ear
he nestly desire, It should undergo change II
re the administration of its affairs-a tots
IT. change in party methods; reform in tn
ce civil service that will secure decent sell
II respect and conscience to the great pody
nd officials, and procure for the public an eet
he nomical, honest and capable performance
na |
no Reform in the tariff and excise system
ID. which shall afegulate commerce and II,
me prohibit and destroy II; diminish the crusl
lie ing weight Of taxation, and restore the pri
the efpal object of taXation-the supply oi rev
ON nues for the expenses of the Goyernnhei
an without neglecting the incident, which Ju
de discrimination in favor of our own cltlzel
est will surely afford.
NE Reform in repeal of Congressional law
ms, controlling and interfering with the loc
nd self-government and freedom OF elections
ity the States, which under protest of protec
400 ing the ballot-box have become an acti'
lad and cruel machine for partisan objects onl
,rs. Further security against retrogressic
sed from specie payments, and into the evils
ks, an irredeemable paper currency.
ms Such are some ofthe obvious reforms Whit
| believe the country is ready to sustain, al
which we surely need With candidat
whose known characters will insure the p'
formance Of their public professions, | c
lie not doubt of success. The insincerity
the Republican professions of distrust of t
Southern people, and the danger oil t
oeo supremacy of party sustained by the Sou
has to the public welfare has been SO exposed
,ent their open and shameless bargains with
and worst ana most ,1aI,,; corr,
ling reputation anu Petso'iSi ,o Sa,,tS that wi
o and drawal of power from their hands will Ia
or plare when assurance is found in the unit
r a opposition of the Democratic party to
3 a schemes and plans which have any tender
its to or liberation of such things.
ow- Make to your guests my salutations a
oon regrets that ! could not on this oceas
,ital make thelf person"i r. Rsv.pn
tor truly yours, l. r. DAfA AMI