Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-12-18
Senator Brown and Civil Service
Reform.

Senator Brown of Georgia talks in an out
spoken manner to his democratic friends
against civil service reform. His remarks in
the debate on Thursday are so truly demo-
cratic that we present report of them for
the benefit of our readers
"Now," said Senator Brown, 81 am going
to do some very plain talking to democrats.
1t is not worth while for us to mince words
here, for the country understands this whole
question. The republican party has had the
offices of the government for the last twenty
years consecutively. The executive has been
republican, and they have had the distribution
of the offices and places. They still have it.
Lately there has been an avalanche sweeping
over the country, carrying with it the severest
condemnation of the practices of this party.
1t is true it was an off year. not Presidential
year; but prudent, conscientious men on the
other side of the Chamber understand this as
well as we do. If we make no great blum
ders-and have heard it said on the other
side that they rely great deal on democratic
blunders-unless the democracy is guilty of
great folly on some important questions, there
can be to my mind, and think to the minds of
senators generally, little doubt that the next
President of this republic will be democrat.
But I am speaking now to the democrats.
How do you go into that campaign Sup
pose you put up my honorable friend from
Ohio, Mr.. Pendleton, OF my honorable and
worthy friend from Delaware, Mr.. Bayard.
or any other one of the prominent and able
gentlemen mentioned for the nomination,
and you go before The democratic masses OF
the United States and tell them that you are
handicapped; that all the offices that amount
to anything, all the more important places
are already disposed of. disposed of ? they
will say. How so p "Why the republican
party has had them for TWENTY-FIVE years,
and seeing that there was probability of
change of administration, they have taken
good care of themselves. They have pressed
q civil service bill, and democrats have helped
them to enact it, and we have it on the stat
ute books now, that there is no democrat to
be put into any of these larger executive
brauches-none except the lowest depart
ments. Above those, republicans already in
compete with each other, but leave no chance
for democrats.
snow. do YOU believe the democratic lead
ers in all the different States would work
with the same energy and zeal, and be so
we'll satisfied = they would if you hold out to
them the chance for change? 1t would be
contrary to all experience, contrary to all
history of the past, to expect such work. But
know it has been replied that the democratic
candidate would not be likely to have so
strong opposition from the republican Office
holders. have no faith in that. The re-
publican officeholders are usually ardent and
true republicans. They believe in the prin-
ciples Of their party, and they want to pro-
mote them, and they believe that that party
has sort of divine right to the offices of the
government, and they would be as true to
their party in the campaign as the needle is
to the pole. Will you destroy the energies
of the democratic leaders, from the lowest to
the highest. by taking away any inducement
offered to them with view of getting any Of
the rewards Of success? They would not
exert themselves as they would do if they
believed there would be a general change, or
even q chance of one-half. l say then, take
it any way you will, don't see-with great
Difference to my friend from 0hio-why at
this time democrat should vote for this bill !:
certainly not without important amendments
which would destroy this aristocracy of re-
publican Office holders that this bill provides
for, when it closes to the democrats all the
ofhces except the lowest.