Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-11-11
FUTURE REFORMS.
work BEroRE THE LEGlsLAIURs.
what cnsIruran Hensel Thlnks VIII be
Dcne-The Democratic Party Will
Abolish Useless On6ces and

Done-The Democratic Party Will
Abolish Useless O6ces and
Correct Abuses
Before Chairman Hensel left the Girard
House, which had been the Democratic
state headquarters during the campaign,
he called attention to the fact that it was
in the same rooms occupied by his CON-
mittee that Mr. A K. Mcclure had organ
lied and directed the Republ can cam.
paign of 1860, when the first governor was
elected by his party. Rooms No. and 0
have been memorable IS the residence of
many state committees, but Done has ever
closed them after the election more jubi-
liant than HeDsefs, and, as he remarked
Friday, "This furniture will not bs auc-
toned of there will likely be future
use for the Democratic party
To a representative of the Times Mr..
Hensel said "They make great mis-
take who conceive the notion that the
Democracy of the state or nation has re
ceived charter of perpetual power. 1t can
only hope to maintain its present vantage
ground by showing itself worthy OF the
confidence reposed in it and fit for the re-
trusted. 1t must keep constantly in mind
lu0 C8u6S0 WulCA uoVC OSClIuAO"A pun
licanism and take warning tberefrOm."
"Wbat will be the best policy for it to
pursue in order to carry the presidential
election of 18S4?"
ITO think as little as possible about
carrying elections, presidential or local.
Let the men whom it has elected give them
selves more concern about the proper dis
charge of their official duties. The Demo
Gratis have regaincd control of Congress
because OF popular disgust at the waste of
time and lavish expenditures by the last
House, and because of its refusal to give
the people their demanded relief from
needless taxation. What the next House
needs to do is to eo0nOmize time and ex-
penditures, to decide all contest
ed election cases expeditiously and
fairly and without regard to par
tisan profit, to abolish or greatly
modify the internal revenue system and to
reduce the army of dependent oficeholders.
There will be no more plundering river
and harbOr bills passed. The conspicuous
defeat alike Of RObeson and OF Miles Ross
point moral that will not be unheeded.
In our own state, where my chief concern
lies-if my views are of any consequences -
the path of the party is straight and mar
row.
1.-The fight having, in my judgment, been
won upon this issue and the consent OF
enough Republicans for us to win having
been thus obtained, it would he q clear
case of false pretense if a Democratic ad.
ministration and Legislature did not effect
the needed reforms. Fortunately tho
party need have no apprehension about
the administration of the men whom it has
elected. The fidelity to public trust and
capacity for official duties which have
been displayed heretofore by Mr.. Pattison
will not fail him in the higher Office.
Tho executive position demands at this
juncture just the qualities which he will
bring to it. The breadth and thoughtful
ness with which his campaign speeches
have been marked have astonished as we'll
as delighted the people. They need have no
fears of failure on his part to deal broadly
and courageously with every question
that will arise. He has heretofore shown
discrimination in the choice of his Off
cial assistants to which may be safely loft
the selection of his advisers and admins
trative agents. To embarrass him with
the opportunities Of Office hunters will not
only be wrong to him, but to tho party
and the state. No man more clearly
recognizes than the governor elect that
the success Of his administration and the
future of the Pennsylvania Democracy de-
pend upon the freedom with which he is
allowed to pick his councillors of state a -.
distribute his patrOnase-slnce .A..t
offensive term must be invoked to itly
describe it-reg egardless of the 'shrieks OF
locality Of the claims of party
workers. or oven the considerations OF
personal friendships.'
"What can tho Democratic Legislature
do to help along the needed reforms %
sit can do great deal by the judicious
exercise of the art of not dong it.
mean that it's members must avoid the
disreputable practices and stamp out the
vicious abuses which have 60 long pre-.
vailed at Harrisburg, to the shame of the
state, to the disgrace of tic participants
and finally to the overthrow. of the party
responsible for them. The first caucus
held should be to determine not who shall
fill the Offices appended to the Legislature
but how many Of them can DO abolished.
The entire pasting and folding
department, now roosting place
for bummers, hospital for decay
ing political loafers, should be cleaned
out. 1t now affords a "job'' for score
or more Of fellows who draw all average
Of $500 per session, none OF whom earn
the half Of it and many of whom never 30
to Harrisburg except to sign the pay roll
All sinecures should be remcrseicssIy
wiped out all unnecessary clerkships and
and other positions abolished. the salaries
reduced to a fair compensation and tho
pernicious systcm of voting them incl
dentaIs" and contiDgents" to cover a
l.. H. l.
The Independents and Democrats can to-
gether organize tue Senate in such a way
as to get rid of tho Cochrans, the Della
neys and the Gallaghers and other rats
who have been fattening at the public
cheese, and in the House the Democrats
should organize SO rs not to admit to place
anybody to whom attaches ma,odOrous
memories. The people will forgive lit.
tie honest inexperience, but they will not
condone the elevation to places of trust
of tainted men or of those who will abuse
power. If the members of the Legisla-
ture elect will reject free railroad passes
and confine their travelling expenses to
their mileage money the sessions will be
shorter, and instead Of meeting on Tues
day evening and adjourning Friday after
noon, they will earn their $40 day with
six days service in the week.
Some Needed Reforms
"The now useless and expensive Legis-
ldtice Record should DO abolished or its
publication reduced to a simple journal of
the session. Reform is necessary in the
public printing, where there is now lavish
waste. In the supply of stationery and
every other class of articles used in the
departments and Legislature there have
been gross favoritism in awarding the
contracts, expert knavery in preparing the