Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-07
Spoiis and Anti-SpoilS.

| homiuatcu poHs ohFuotu anu tue re-
mark was heartily applauded by body
whose members represented every por.
tion OF the Union. To first get the of.
fee and then distribute the plunder
these positions aid their holders In get.
ting does indeed seem the purpose of
the party to which Flanagan, OF Texas,
belongs. keep US in power" is the
plaintive cry, because without public
positions and enormous salaries from
the public treasury the grand old party
must die"
The Democratic party bases it's claim
to public consideration upon higher
grounds, and, as the American Register
so forcibly insists. appeals to the justness
ofits cause TO the people, who are per
fectly familiar with the past history OF
the Republican party. II is not g matter
Of spoils. but OF political principles and
IL the Democracy cannot show good
reasons why a change should be made
then no change is needed, and the
party in power might be left in peacea-
BILE possession. There is however, great
need of change, and the faithful stud
ent OF current events and the man who
reads and thinks, both recognize the
truth of his declaration. The Govern
ment has now been managed by a
party styling themselves Republican,
since the beginning OF the war. In all
this period the revenues have been enor.
nous, and the expence proportionally
great. The citizen has borne the
burdens OF taxation without complaint,
and discharge the duties imposed upon
him with patriotic regard for the com.
mon veal but, as the years have gone
on wise statesmanship has been invoked
TO tighten public burdens and no at
tempt made TO check the extrayAgance
which is now condemned upon every
hand. Immense revenues have been
drained from the people simply to
maintain extravaganza, and an army of
officeholders now eat up the taxes
which they pay. Instead Of addressing
themselves to the problems which the
times demanded, and having just regard
to the public welfare, the leaders OF the
Republican party heve bent their ener
gies to the perpe.uAtion Of power, and
to this end have made friends with
the rich and influential. and fostercd al
manner OF monopolies to stlll further
oppress the people and make the re.
forms demanded almost impossible Of
attajpment.
The expenses OF this government are
now SiOO,O00.OO0 annually. No person
Of good sense will contend that such an
enormous pay roll is needed to carry on
the ordinary affairs Of government. IL
i, said to lie necessary nov, but II ig not
because there j. Just demand for il but
because the system Of waste and cxtrava
gancc introduced by the party inIrscr
has swelled it to such proportions. But
great as this sum is and nrcd!es..y rx.
pended a. much ol ilmust be-. the com.
plant would not DO 90 great If this
public burden was equally borne. This
is, however, not the case. Tho rich %.
cape while the toiiing millions must bear
il almost alone II 30 sgaiust this
unequal and unjust system Of govern
ment that the people are making com.
plant, and loud a. the clamor is. and
long continued the abuse, the party
responsible for this gives neither heed
nor attention, but goes on making
alliances with wealth and seeking moth.
ing but it, own aggraadizement. Mean
while scandals are rife, villainies are
perpetrated wherever the opportunity
offers for private enrichment or party
advantage, and the nstion is becoming
corrupted, from the fountain of power
among the people. to the capitol where
sic the men who guide the national
destiny.
Step by step the standard of public
morality is being lowered, gradually
but surely the vices of politics are tax
ing the place Of patriotism. and unless
checked by a complete overthrown, the
Republican party will 30 debase and
destroy the springs Of public life and
activity that love OF liberty and love Of
country will soon find common grave
in the struggle for power aud the com.
pletc debsuchery Of public morals.
There is a wild distinction between
the party in power and its great rival, the
Democratic party. The one has been
corrupted by the men who have made
themselves the masters, and no reform
by them Is nov possible, while the other
has ever been the party of the people
and has its principles based 10 a love Of