Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-31
Badly gemrebet Journal.
Augusta. Saturday Morning, March 81.
"Signs of the Times"


republican who believes the republican
party is "going to pieces" 1t sincerely
thinks that If Tilden is nominated for
President, or somebody like him, that
same republican and one more will vote
for him. This the Argus is confident de-
notes great political upturn" that will
reach from Maine to California. Though
the Argus has predicted nine hundred and
ninety-nine times before that the republi-
can party was going to pieces and has
been as many times disappointed. il is just
as hopeful as it was twenty-five years ago
that the wished for end is close at hand
The crest-fallen storm prophet Virgins
might sit at the feet Of the Argus and learn
to bear sereneiy the failure of his predic
tons, for what limit is there to the capa-
city for predicting. even though not a
cloud gathers and breaks at the appointed
time? The Argus tries again; so can
Virgins.
The solitary republican whom the
Argus has interviewed (no name given)
is disguised with the scramble for
Office which he sees among republicans,
with the star route business. and with
divers evil doings within the republican
party. We have no doubt he is some
hoary headed ofiice-seeker who, having
lost his position all at once has discovered,
not that the republican party is corrupt,
but that his chance of promotion may be
better in the democratic camp. No we'll
informed, sincere and honest republican
would think of leaving the republican
party and joining the democratic party,
or the Observation-Disclosures party
both one and the same thiug-hoping to
get into more virtuous company. Such a
man knows that while it is true that re-
publicans were engaged in the star route
frauds, it is also true that the rational re-
publican administration is now engaged
in prosecuting the star route thieves and
will bring them to justice and punish
ment if possible. No democratic admin
istration ever prosecuted its rogues, but
screened them a long rs it could. Wit
ness the case of William NJ. Tweed, de-
Tended by the Argus and every other dem
ocratic newspaper in the country. And
this brings 10 mind the proceedings of the
present ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS legisla-
ture in New York, elected on il reform
and non craftsmanship basis. How is that
legislature fulfilling the promises made
by its friends before election? The follow
ing from an editorial in the New York
Times of the 26th inst tells the story:
"The fact is that the reform element of the
democratic party has utterly lost its grip in
both branches of the legislature, and the I'M
regenerate spirit of parrisanship is carrying
everything before it. We are assuming that
there is reform element still in the party,
but even that is beginning to be doubtful.
When wavering votes were tn he caught the
party was lavish of reform professions
When the Legislature met there was pre-
tense at least OF putting the best men to the
front, and short session full of good work
and free from partisan schemes was promised.
How has the promise been thus far fulfilled?
Scarcely anything has been done which has
not had partisan purpose, while the com
monest rights of the minority have been
ruthlessly overrlddeu. The chief efforts of
the so-caled leaders have been devoted to
the creation of new offices and the increase
of patronage The Lieuteuant-Goyernor. as
the presiding officer of the Senate. has by
his arbitrary rulings shown himself in full
sympathy with the narrOwest and meanest
party spirit. The Speaker OF the Assembly
has been swayed and overborne until he has
IL \.
fairness with which he assumed the chair
The Sprague Bliss contested election case
showed how utterly shallow was the pretense
of liberality and fairness made hv such
respectable men Erastus BrooSs, Mr.
Benedict, Mr.. Poucher. and the rest of the
better element
While partisan schemes and petty Jobs have
been Jumped ahead bv all sorts of tricks
and devices, and rushed through without Civ
ing the minority chance to insist upon care.
full consideration, mer,torious measures have
been blocked and hindered in their progress.
The civil service reform and political assess
ment bills have been dealt with in manner
which shows the desire of the majority to
strangle them. A measure of the courage of
the most pretentious reformers was shown
when men voted for the Catholic Protectory
appropriation while protesting their belief
that it was unconstitutional and wrong. No
subject of first-class importance has been
dealt with in manner evincing either cspac-
ity or honesty. The prison investigation and
its result furnish sample of the best that
the majority seems to he capable of. The
subject required thoughtful consideration and
careful treatment. but the first step was TO
upset discipline at Sing Sing and the next to
take away the employment of the prisoners
at Clinton. The Assembly committee made
an intelligent report, but ii has been ignored
in the framing of bills which are
aimed chiefly at the destruction of the contract
system. The question of local selt-govern-
ment is one that has been merely paltered
with. and it is evident that there is no hope of
legislation affecting municipal administration
that would not make it more partisan and
hence less efficient and honest. The question
of revising the tax laws has been ignored. and
the idea of this legislature doing anything
with it is simply luficrous. The capacity
for dealing with such subject is utterly
wanting.
1t will not be worth while to prolong the
session in the hope of making record. Ii
is already made. and pretty bad record il is.
The democrats have gone back to their old
party standard and forfeited all claims to in
dependent support. Ii is evident that hoped
for reforms are not to be had at their hands.
and the people must begin to think OF devoting
the next poltical campsirD TO the production