Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-17
APoint in Mr.. TiIden's Letter.

In the letter Of Mr.. Tilden, read at the
banquet Of the Iroquois Club at Chicago
Tuesday night. there is a point worthy Of
the thoughtful attention Of all who feel a
deep interest in the stability Of republi-
can institutions. The point is that at the
beginning Of the canvasses the opposition
must embrace two-thlrds Of the voters TO
maintain a majority at an election. This
Is NJ. Tilden's opinion, which, he says, he
expressed as far back as 1875. If this
opinion IS well founded, il is easy 70 see
how difficult il is for the party out Of pow
= 70 get control Of the government. Mr..
Tilden has made politics a study for many
years, and there is, perhaps, no man liv-
ing better qualified 10 express such an
opinion than he is. He has
seen the influence Of money and patron
age il elections. and be knows how pow
erful they are. In national contests the
administration does not take the position
Of an impartial observer, but enters the
arena and battles for the success Of its
party with all the resources at its com
mand. These resources are enormous.
There are more than one hundred thous-
and officehOlders who not only exert their
personal influence in behalf Of their party.
in their respective localities, but they con-
tribute a large per cent. Of their earnings
10 the same cause. 80 eager are they for
success that they are not always scrupu-
lou- about The means they employ. Money
aud Offices are among the weapons which
they use. II has been shown beyond
question that in $50 the elections in the
October states were carried for the Re
publcans by liberal use Of money. The
October victories contributed largely 70
the November success; ana Who is there
VINO does not know that every agency
controlled By the government was forced
70 assist in giving the Republican party a
victory in November: At the dinner Of
the Republican chiefs at DelmonicO's to
celebrate that victory Dorsey. Of star
route fame. was openly cOmplimented for
the skillful way in which he used what
the assembled chiefs were pleased 10 call
SOAP II viii never be known, proba-
bly,, how large a part Of the millions
stolen from the government by means
Of star route and other frauds was
used 10 elect Garfield. Although
Mr.. Dorsey has pretended to tell a
good deal. be has been very careful
10 give no information on that point. Mr.
Tnden is right. The opposition party.
having only bare majority Of the voters
has no chance IF getting control Of the
government. Il must have a majority
sufficiently great 10 overcome the power
ful influences controlled by the admins
tration. There are some Democrats who
condemn the civil service law. But from
the standpoint Of Mr.. Tilden it is one Of
the nisest laws ever enacted. If it Is en-
forced it viii deprive the Republican par.
rs 90 a great deal Of its power. 1t viii
lessen the number Of its active workers
aud cut down its corruption fund. The
civil service law i "a step towards a
reform that is imperatiyely demanded
The administration ought not to be
allowed 10 take any part in politics. The
means it employs are demoralizing, de-
ba.iu2 and corrupt. 1t acknowledges
some restraint now, but unless there is d
reformation the time is coming when No
restraint Of any kind Will be recognized
An opposition with two-thirds Of the
voters at its back viii not be able TO get
control Of the government An honest
Interpretation Of the constitution and the
divorce Of the administration from parti-
san politics should De demanded by the
Democratic national platform.