New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-09

the mast ten wears can be justly accused, they
have taken full share.
Then il was the hope of the Democrats that
they could make much political capital by CAM
oring for a reform of the Civil Service. That
anv reform Of that sort would ever have been
carried ont by the ravenous people who howi
about every capital where q Democratic legls-
latiye body or Executive has any bones TO DIS
tribute. We have been slow to believe. But the
Democrats have great faith in the virtue OF pro-
LESSONS and promises partly because they are
cheap. 1t was hoped that the Republicans
would refuse to correct some glaring abuses, TO
deprive themselves of some supposed partisan
advantages, or to make honest efforts TO estap-
lsh the Civil Service on non partisan OASIS
All these expectations have been disappointed
Precisely the measure which the Civil service
Reform Association had framed and advocated
has been passed by Republican Congress with
great readiness. The most conspicuous ana de-
voted representative of that association mas
himself been selected by Republican Presi-
dent as the head Of the Commission created 10
superiutend the execution OF the law. Men ol
undoubted merit and earnestness nave oeeh
selected to act with him. Thus IN every par
ticular the Republican party has done just what
the organization especially devOted to Civil Ser
vice Reform recommended and ueslred, ana all
that the Democratic party could have PROMISED
ia do if it should obtain the power. That Issue
is closed, unless the practical workings oil the
new law should reveal detects not hitherto sus-
pected by Mr. Eaton or the association, so that
further legislation should he deemed necessary.
In that event, we shall see whether the Demo-
Gratis are more disposed than they have been
Tins far to substitute practical work in behalf OF
reform for windy professions or empty promises.
The collapse of Democratic hopes in regard
to the matter of taxation is fresh in the public
mind. 1t was expected that the Republicans
would refuse to reduce the taxes ana espe-
cially to reduce the tariff. Taxation has been
re iuced $75, DOC, 900, more orless, and about
half of that amount will come from revision OF
the tariff The prolonged contest left the Repub
leans substantially united, while the Demo-
cratic party has come out OF 1t torn by hercer
dissensions than it has known at any other time
since 1860. One thing is now manifest to all. IL
the Democrats wish 10 vote for auy one candl-
date for President in 1884. they can contrlve
TO do 80 only by ignoring the tarA question COM
pletely and abandoning the issue OF taxation.
What have they to fight aboutl 1t does not
look well for q set of men to 90 into Presl-
dental struggle on no better ground than that
they want the offices. They can no lorger shed
tears about the downtrodden South "; II the
Confederate Brigadiers DO not govern this
country entirely, they at least govern more
than their share Of il. The colOred citizen can
no longer be ground of controversy by Demo
Gratis; they cast the votes that belong to 1Im'
and if any body has any occasion to complain 1t
certainly is not the Democratic party. we can
discover but one point of hope for Democrats
A commercial and industrial catastrophe might
in some way disturb the votes OF those who I'M
agne that it must be tife fault of the Govern
ment If there are no cells in the eel-pots AS OF
old, the only chance for the Democrats is the
possibility of some great national disaster.
Even rs many OF them lonoed for defeat OF
Union armies during the terrible years OF civil
war, so their partsanship will presently move
them to pray for panic