Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-11-08
SEE IF THESE THINGS BE so.

clans are 50 often inSincere. it bobooves
the individual citizen 10 do a good deal
of thinking for himself and to look be
hind and beyond the statements and
claims of politicians for evidence of
their sincerity.
The Democratic party is now favored
With BOOM II carried Ohio in conse-
queuce of a local issue that worked
against the Republican party, and it be-
lieyes it will carry it next year, when
that disturbing question will not be
prominent. 1t has also figured up other
doubtful States as on its side. and it is
already counting the election of Dem
Ocratic President in 1884 as virtually as
sured. And its march to its supposed
victory II is maSquerading as a rcfuI Oh
party, and as nearer TO the people anu
more nearly representing the masses
than any other political organization.
Reform is hIgh-soundiDg term, and
1t strikes great many people as ID prom
lse of great changes for the better in the
administration of government. But pro-
LESSONS are worthless unless followed
up by performances, and when the lat
ter is applied TO the Democratic party
what is tue result? Put promises in the
scales on one side, and performances on
the other, and the latter as against the
former, will be as as sheet of paper
against chunk of lead.
Let US illustrate: III 1872 Judge Hoad-
ly started out from the Republican par
ty as refOrmer, but was disappointed,
and supported Grant against Greeley.
In 1876, however, he landed fairly in the
Democratic party, with Ii den as bis
leader, and now he is found III full sup
port of the Democratic party in New
York City which is led and controlled
by fammany Hall, under Tue leadership
OF Boss Kelly, the most INSCRIPTIONS
and corrupt politician that has lived
since Boss Tweed was in active life. Is
This reform? 1t would not be safe to
claim that it is. Few men who have
any regard for their reputation weuld
make such claim. Yet if the Demo-
Gratis should carry New York this year
or next it would be with the aid of Boss
Kelly. The latter can roll up a major
ity of sixty thousand in New York, or
he can whittle it down TO ten thousand.
He holds the fate of the Democratic
party in the State of New York in tn j..
hollow of his hand. The Democratic
party is not always able to carry it with
out his permission. If, therefore, the
Democrats should succeed it would be
kelly's victory. Therefore no Demo
cratic leader dares to cross his track or
to incur his enmity.
And what kind of a reformer, pray, is
Kelly? What is the object of the Tam
many organization? Not reform, sure
ly. Public plunder, certainly. And this
is the kind of reform" which Judge
Hoadly is now assisting. To this the
path which he entered in 1876, when he
left the Republican party. has brought
him, and it remains for intelligent and
observing people to decide as to the
amount of sincerity there is in all such
1t is not Judge Hoadly's
fault that he finds himself as Demo
crat, supporting the refOrners and wink,
ing at their methods. AS Democratic
leader he can not help that. The Dem
Ocratic party could hardly hope to elect
Il President without New York; and
Boss Kelly controls New York, and the
the methods by which New York City
is carried and its affairs managed need
not be, dwelt upon in this connection.
Turning aside from New York, and
locking to other places where the Dem
ocratic party is in control, we may prop
erly ask for evidence of reform, and we
would ask in vain. The fact is the
Democratic party as party does not
like what the term reform" properly
implies. Notice their furious opposi-
tion to Senator Pendlton's civil service
business. The principle of the measure
is correct, but Democratic managers
have no idea above the spoils of Office,
and all that can be made out of the pub
lie service, whether National, State or
n iicipal, they regard as legilim ate.
Does any rational man suppose that IL
the Democratic party should get into
power in the Nation they would not
make clean sweep of the offices? Ger
tainly not. The Civil Service Law which
was passed in the interest of the public
would not be suffered to stand in the
way of an upheaval of the offices
the country, and such bosses
as Kelly W uld dictate the policy of the
party-in regard to patronage and plum
der.
Furthermore, without the aid of the
Southern States the Democratic party
would be in hopeless minority in the
Yet is there such thing as a
fair election in the South? Has there
been time since the freedmen were
that with fair election
the Democrats could have carried Lou
isIana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama,
Florida, South Carolina or Virginia
From Democratic standpoint there
may be reform in a shotgun policy; but
is that the kind of reform to talk about.
Or that the country wants? If it is
right TO terroriZe the colOred the people |
tt the South and drive them from the !
polls, it weuid be right to stuff the bal
ot boxes. And but for terrorism and |
issue ballots at the South. and elertion |
frauds in New York, whsre would Til |
len, the so-called reformer of 1876. have |
anded? The Oregon Electoral vote |
would have done him no good even if |
le could nave secured it; and there |
would have been no call for an Elector-
Il Commission.
In fine, the reforms to be obtained |
through the D mrcratic party are such |
IS Boss Kell' practices and Won az 9
,rove, and to perm { that party to o.
)e to turn SUI h ras ais as the Tammany
managers into power. We do not mean
% say that there are not plenty of good
nen in the Democratic party, or that
he masses or that organization do not
mean we'll and that they are not as good
IS Republicans; but when prominent
eaderS are found to support such pow
rful rascals as John Kelly and Indirect
y sustain their m -thods, the Democratic
'arty is not to he trusted: their high
promises are deceptive, and it
; plain TO see that the things they prom
Sc are not the things they propose to
ractice.
The Government has lived and the
ountry has grown and prOspered for
ear quarter of Il century. not by rea-
on of Democratic management, but in
90 ~ -.