Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-17
MAssAcHUsErrx DEMOCRACY.
Hon. BENJAMIN r. Butler Addresses the
Democrats At Fanesil Hall.

General Butler spoke at two political meet
ings. in Faneuil Hall and Music Hall. Al
the former place he referred to the amuse-
ment afforded him by reading the CRITICISMS
of republican papers upon his letter OF ac-
cepiance, and said: There is but one thing
in which they agree, and that Is that IN that
letter of acceptance had to do too much
with national and too little with state
affairs. Ny excuse for not dealing
with state affairs more At length
was therein stated, and / will state it again.
| had so frequently appeared before the peo-
pie of Massachusetts and showed the rotten
ness of their State government that they
themselves had admitted it by taking my
recommendation after they had beaten me.
So looked TO see what we're the issues OF
the campaign He found that both demo-
cratic and republican platforms dwelt more
especially upon national issues and therefore
confined his letter more especially to their
consideration. For this he was branded BY
the republican editors.
The extravaganza Of the appropriations Of
the national government was the subject that
struck the national heart and disgusted
all good men. He attributed the recent de-
feat in Ohio to the passage of the river and
harbor appropriation bill and not to the liquor
Law. Gen. Butler then proceeded to read the
editorials of the various republican papers
upon his letter, commenting briefly upon
each He continued: l have brought be-
fore you these opinions to show you the in
cencerity of the men who made them. Now
take the subject Of civil service reform.
There are opinions upon that. and they are
as diverse as they were upon the rest of the
letter. Now, civil reform never would have
been necessary in this county if the parties
changed once in four years. 1t never need
TO have been, because changing officers as
often as you change presidents give them
that term of office, except when their SER
vices are needed, would have been sufficient
for reform. There is always need of reform
in civil service whenever any party anywhere,
under any form of government, holds power
for more than twenty years as the republican
party has held it in this State
and this nation. Good and true men who are
faithful servants, and in places that cannot
be filled readily, have been kept in Office
under all administrations and ever will be.
But what is the use of Office in this
country? 1t is to educate the people in
matter and forms of government and the
theory of our constitution is that every man
has right to aspire and many may be Presi-
dent of the United States, and SO, of course,
to fill every other office, and your selection
should be made in such way as to insure
competency, integrity and efficiency, and
such officer, if he will let alone politics and
not run caucuses and conventions, will stay
great many years in Office under any ad
mnistration.
Passing to the subject of tariff, Gen. But
Ter said There is an attempt to lead the
workingmen to vote the republican ticket up
on the ground that if there is any change in
tariff there will be a lowering of wages,