Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-07-19
NEEDED REFORMS.

National politics are strangely -niaddfed.
The war between the Stalwarts and Hall
Breeds has been renewed and is now more
f.rocious than ever. In Pennsylvania the
Republican factions are engaged ia bitter
and relentless feud. In several OF the States
the Democrats are not harmonious. Here
in Tennessee they are divided upon the
State debt question, and the division promises
to be permanent, as the boilers will have to
make regular alliance with the Repub-
llcans to prevent a repeal of the sixty-and-
six settlement, and the Democratic masses
will submit to no settlement at a higher rate
than fifty-and-three. But there are few
men who rise above these local issues, and
whose mission it is to keep prominently in
view questions of national concern. The
Hon. Thomas F. Bayard is one of this class
of statesmen. When party lines become
muddled and confused he is always one OF
the first TO lead the way. In recent letter
to the Hon. Joseph E. Mcdonald, of Indiana
polls, Ind, he says:
Reforms are always needed in government, alter
u long unbroken tenure of power and place by
any party, especially during period so full OF ex
witnessed here in the last twenty years. And
believe the country absolutely needs and that
Large msSy Si c i m tbe
its affairs-a total change in party methods; &c
form IN the eiSl service ina WI secure S M
officials and procure for the public an eeonom1-
4 Reform ad in e a snd excise ei
which shall regulate commerce" and aot pro-
of taxation, and restore the principal object of
taxation-the supply OF revenues for the expenses
of the government, without neglecting the
favor of our own citizens will surely afford
Reform in repeal OF eongfessi9 3h laws laws
self-government and freedom Of elections in the
States, which under pretext of protecting the bal
lot-box have become an active and cruel machine
for partisan objects only. Further security against
retrogression from specie payments, and INTO the
some OF the obvious reforms which believe the
country is ready to sustain, and which we surely
will insure the performance of their public pro-
fessions, cannot doubt Of success.
Senator Bayard's views on governmental
reform are always correct. His large asso-
citation with and active participation in
national affairs has given him ample oppor-
tunity of detecting the many abuses which
have prevailed during the long reign of the
Republican party. The reforms he specially
mentions in his letter as being the pressing
needs of the country will be recognized as
those the people have clamored for, but
which the party in power uniformly oppose.
If anything he wanting to show that the Re
publican party has outlived its usefulness,
reference is made to the fact that it is di-
vided, not on principle but as to who are its
"bosses." Garfield was killed because he
would not let Conkling "boss" his admins
tration, and in Pennsylvania Cameron pro-
claims that he will destroy the manufacture
ing interests of the State unless the capital
ists sustain him in perpetuating his "boss'
rule, and that there shall be no Republican
party unless it be ruled by "Boss" Cameron.
Such Democrats IS Senator Bayard are op.
posed to the "boss" rule, and instead Of pros
tituting the public service 10 private uses re-
cognize it as high and honorable trust to
be administered for the peoples benefit.