Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-19
How shall We Get Reform ?


The Republicans who refuse to support
Mr. Blaine because he represents all that is
most corruptiDg and destructive IN the
present tendencies OF American politics are
fortunate in having an opposing candidate
to vote for who represents the strongest
ard hcalthiest Of the forces that Will check
and drive out corruption. With reference
TO the reform Of our political lie
aud ITS elevation 10 higher plane,
the country has much % hope for
from the election Of Mr.. Cleye-
land. IL is not alone that he has 'Toyed
himself to be possessed OF the sterling and
sensitive personal honesty which is the es-
sential condition Ct useful pubic career,
nor even that be adds TO this the lirmness
OF win and the sustained energy needed to
give eject to the hest intentions. Ii is that
he believes sincerely and strongly In the
vital principle OF political reform, that he
has repeatedly shown that he thoroughly
understands it, and that he has the intelli-
gence TO apply it 10 circumstances ss they
arise.
The decentralization OF public life in the
United States mas many roots, but none
strikes deeper or feeds the evil more abun-
dainty than the idea OF public Office rs
source Of private or party gain instead OF
business II ust TO be administered in the in
terest OF the public. IL is from this idea
has sprung the vicious notion that the offices
OF Government are the rightiul spells Of the
victorious party; that a canvass is chiefly a
struggle for those spoils, and those who are
most active or most successful In II are
entitled TO the largest share. This notion
was terribly fixed In the public mind, and
particularly in the minds OF the Repub-
liCan party, in the long series OF contests
growing out OF the war, when party fealty
and patriotism came to seem land often
were) the same thing, one IS binding in
obligation as the other. The habit OF party
loyalty then acquired was stimulated, en-
couraged. preached by politicians. who
grossly abused it. II is now the only re-
source OF the Blaine school OF politicians,
who seek to inculcate party loyalty only to
abuse il, and who have betrayed every
principle OF honest Republication. They
represent to-day the idea OF the spois svs-
ten IN its grossest and most niischieyous
form.
Were Mr.. Blaine, by the wrath OF an
offended Providence, permitted to be elect
ed President OF the United States, he
would bring to the administration Of that
office, and especially TO his management OF
the civil service, full sympathy with the
worst evils that afilict us. He could not, II
he would, reform ii, for he would be bound
10 recognize the claims OF the horde OF
offico-seekers and jobhers who alone are
actively working for him. lie would not
il he could, for bis whole public career
shows that he thoroughly believes in the
idea OF using public position for private
advancement. Whatever respect he might
show for the ciyil-service law in its present
limited scope, the country could not ex-
pect him 10 use the powers conferred by il
on the President TO extend its scope at dis
cretion.
On the other hand. Mr.. Cleveland would
find in the Office Of President, and particu-
larry IN the powers with which the reform
law clothes the President, the opportunity
10 carry out the principle OF the public Do
sition as q public trust to which he has
shown himself constantly faithful. While
Mr.. Blaine. from his own guilty complic,-
tons, would be helpless to clean the SER
vice OF the corruption which bis most ar
dent supporters, like Elkins and Dorsey.
represent, MIR. Cleveland would have tie
strongest possible motive for entering
actively and firmly on the work Of purifi-
cation. And, what il OF the highest import.
ance, In the changes necessary TO be
made the country could trust him to
apply 70 his appointments the standard Of
impartial fitness. In this regard he Il the
one candidate whom the Democratic party
could have presented who could be relied
on TO enforce successfully the spirit Of the
clvll-service reform. Nor will he lack In
this the support, always 90 valuable, OF
en- intelligent and earnest public opinion
tmong those who sustained him at the
polls, He viii enter on his Office, ~ he
did on that Of Governor. with the full
Consciousness that be owes his election
70 the independent vote Of the country,