The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-01-10
OWL SERVICE InIrRoYEMENr.


ing and cOndemning Senator PendletOn's
to improve the civil service.
y We do not understand that our friends
deny the need OF reform; but they want
to waituntil the Democracy shall attain
to power, the main idea being with
them TO displace Republicans by INSTALL
ing Democrats.
None but partisans shall stand upon
guard" has been the Republican watch
word; and "to the VictOrs belong the
spOils" has been the Republican rule,
and their inexOrable policy. Under the
Republican management the army of
United States civil service officials alone
exceed one hundred thousand.
Partisan greed for power and emolu-
ment has unnecessarily increased
enormously the number of public offices
and employment, and one aim of Mr..
PendIetOn's bill is to curtail this and
prevent its repetition. Is it not advis-
able to have things in shape so as to
prevent the possibility of such state of
things as exist now, when the Democrats
attain to pOwerP
The PendletOn bill aims to lOp off su-
perfluOus officials, and surely this is in
the right direction. The Democratic
party is not "spOils" party, and the
prudent friends of the icause would
avoid the possibility of our party, when
in power, being thus afflicted. AS a
party we have not been held together
by the cohesive power of public plum
der.
Government is the management of
public affairs, and the true mission of
government is "tO establish justice, in
sure domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defence and promote the
general welfare" The wise.men placed
in Presidential position by the Demo-
eracy have, as a rule, felt this RESPONSE
bflity, and have so acted as to secure
honest and economical administration.
Under Republican rule, favoritism
has been the policy; lthus building up
systems of monopoly in all directions.
Even-handed justice and equality in
legislation find no place in the Republi-
can creed. Selfshness is the end and aim.
Hence, In addition, and in connection,
officials have been enormously multi
piled, and crooked dOings in whisky,
star routes, etc, have startled the peO.
pie.
1t should not be forgotten, that it is
the general good Of the people, not in
dividual good and emOlument, that
should be aimed at in the administra-
tiOn of public affairs. Proper legisla-
tion then looks to the general welfare,
not to class privileges and personal
benefit. This indicates the difference
between the Democratic party and the
party opposing it, under whatever name.
The. Democratic policy is not govern
ment Of "spOils," but one Of plain sim
plicity and economy.
The result Of the elections last fall
was condemnation of the Republican
policy Of extravaganza and spOils. The
Republican leaders in Congress are
quick to take the hint, and quick to
arrange themselves accordingly. They
did not favor Mr.. PendletOn's bill with
view Of keeping their understrappers
in official place; but hoping thereby to
continue in power and keep the Demo
cratic party out of power. Let ouI
sturdy, uncOmprOmising brethren not
mistake themselves. Let them not
hesitate in well doing, nor throw away
again a golden opportunity to. rescue
our oppressed country from unprinci
pied men.
The Republican leaders in Congress
have tried to put themselves in favor
able light before the public; and have
also endeaYOred to cause Democrats Il
occupy an unfavOrable sposition on tn,
great question of improving the ciyi
service. In this work, the Cincinnati
Enquirer, and journals following itl
lead, have aided the Republicans. Demo
Gratis should remember, one and all, that
as political organization, we desire
power to secure the good of all, not t
establish class privileges, nor to secure
"spOils" to a favored few.
Democratic policy, then, is the revers'
of Republican management; our aim be
ing not one of "spOiIs'' but to secure tn,
public good and establish justice anC
equal rights. The avalanche of las
falls elections was a startling and un
expected lesson to Republican leaders
1t was unlocked for. Even in quie
Michigan and respectable Massachu
setts, In Indiana and Wisconsin, wher
there were no signs of revolt, the ex
preston of the people was equally an
decidedly emphatic.
We are not so sure that the Democrac
had gained the confidence of the people
as that the Republicans had lost thei
confidence. This confidence is a plan
of slow growth and must be encourage
by proper cultivation. Let Democrat
remember that our duty is to take sd
vantage of this opportunity and shoy
ourselves worthy.
/ There Is 4 side In the Affairs Of men,
1 which taken at the food leads TO fortune;
Omitted, ali the voyage Of their life
1B bound In shallow. and in miseries.