The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-01-27

competition is open to every citizen OF
| the Republic, for every official place,
without the requisite Of having been
the cOrrupting tool or serVile tOady of
some local Congressman. FaVoritism
must go glimmering like fading star.
| To say that the dxisting system Is IA
Vorable to the poor man Is to utter an
untruth. Poor men who have capacity
to fill these places, have claims upon
them which render 1t impossible for
them to devote the time to politics which
would entitle them to share in the dis
tribntion of the plunder won in a poll
tical battle.
This, briefly, for the bill and the ami
mus of your opposition. In regard to
your demand that the Democratic party
shall espOuse your quarrel and assist in
the humiliation and destruction of Mr..
PendletOn, have this to say: II the De-
mOcracy, following your lead, disaVows
opposes or refuses to indOrse the princi-
pies of civil service reform as enunciat-
ed in this law, it will make but little
difference to it whether there Is a civil
service law OF not, for they will not be
called upon to execute 1t. Are you so
blinded by the frenzy Of your hate that
you cannot see the certain drift Of events
and that If the Democratic builders re-
ject the stone, the Republicans will
form next year? Or would you like
blind Samson, drag the whole temple
down If you may bury PendletOn under
the ruinsp In opposition to civil service
reform we cannot carry Northern
state. To say to the forty millions of
people who are not politicians, and do
not recognize your claim to heirship to
the earth and its fullness, that the
Democratic party has been perpetrating
afnr a Fuld NHnfn NATr
years, while its papers and stumpers
have been clamOring for civil service re-
form, and its platforms have been en-
blazOned with its promises, ,is to impeach
ourselves with the most stOlid stupidity
or what is worse, with inconsistency,
which, in the light of recent elections
would be disgraceful and criminal. Can
a party expect the confidence of the pub
lie which would fasten upon its OppOsi
tiOn In power a system which 1t instant
ly refuses to accept for itself when the
mere shadow Of approaching power falls
athwart its pathway II the politicians
constituted the voting force Of the cOun-
try, In party aspect, such inconsistent
cy might be trivial, but there are many
millions of citizens united to party ap-
rOns, who exercise the franchise and pay
the bulk of the taxes, who will deny
your legend and object to their hard
earned treasure becoming the spoil" Of
political wrangle. The corruption Of
the civil service, which led through de-
ViOus ways to the assassination of
President, more than all else cOntribu-
ted to the Democratic successes of last
year. The people were disguised with
the rule of the present system, lost con-
fidence in pledges of reform 80 often
made by the Republicans, and, accept
ing the promises of the Democracy, tur-
ned to them for relief. A distinguished
and trusted Democrat who had faith
that his party's pledges were sacred, ,haV-
ing opportunity, embraced II, to put
them into law. He was Joined by large
majority of his party In the Senate and
House, and the prestige was gained for
the Democracy Of having kept its faith
and made the first practical step In the
direction of this needed reform. Its ban
uer was planted upon principle, not
plunder, and that principle will win, no
matter who carries lis standard. And
now you ask the party to desert the flag
and run away from its vantage. As we'll
ask an army to surrender Its fortress to
the enemy and assail 1t on open ground.
/ sign my name to this, not on account
of any merit 1t may have, but because l
am willing to stand upon what you are
at great pains to tteFate many times
day, is very unpopular ground. But II
your usual luck follows you, the syren
voice of the Enquirer will sing sweet
civil service strains before the ides Of
another November election.
Respectfully, j. H. PUTNAM.