Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-16
GOV. HILLS ACCEPTANCE.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM THE
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

ALBANY, ". Y, Oct. 15.--GOv. Hill has
addressed TO the Committee of Notifica-
ton the following letter accepting the
nomination for Governor by tho recent
Democratic state convention.
ALBANY, N. Y. Oct. l5. 1885.
GENTLEMEN am IN receipt OF your COM
munication officially informing me OF my
nomination for Governor by the Democratic
convention. This nomination gratefullv ac-
cept. To be the candidate OF the party which
has given TO the State such distlngul -hed
eNecutiv's 8 Rs Mercy. wright, seymour, Hon.
man. Tllden, Robinson and Cleveland ls both
an honor and responsibility which fully
appreciate.
EXCELLENCE OF THE PLATFORM.
The excel ent platform adopted by the con-
venton meets my entire approval and the
principles therein enunciated should COM
mend themselves TO the right thinking citizen
who desires only the public good. Unlike the
platform Of our opponents II requires neither
exclamation nor anOl gy. Most cordially DO
| cOReur in the declaration that the Democ.
racy of the State tender Pr"aidont CleVe ana
their hearty appreciation he public poiioy
witch has governed his Official actions and
their confidence In the wisdom his admins
tration and their appreciation OF his hrm,
consis ent, and conscientious conduct as
President.
REPUBLICAN ILL-TEMPER.
The Republican platform on the other hand
in III l-tempered language denounces as shy
pocrtical pretenses" the efforts which ne
President has made for the publication OF the
public service. The correction of long exist
ing abuses and his professed sire anu honest
endeavors for better government, and II
condemns the NATIONAL Administration for
every reform which IL has inaugurated IN
the management Of the nnanees'
and the regulation OF commerce
and the enfor ement OF the laws OF the COM
try. The issue thus sharply presented by the
platforms OF the two parties can not be
changed by the indlvi nal utterances OF can
didates or EnsuthorizCd d explanations Of party
newspapers. Our opuOnents, as party, are
opposed to the policy ami principles OF Fresi-
dent Cleveland, and their success al the ensu-
ing election would surely be proclaimed
throughout the country as a condemnation OF
his administration.
VICTORY AN ENDORSEMENT.
The hands OF the President viii he strength
eped by the victory OF his party fr end mot
by the surcess Of the enemies OF his party.
believe that the civil service Of the country
should Ue reformed. The continued ascenu-
ency of one party in the national government
Z twenty -four years led TO abuses the crea-
tion OF sinecures. and the prostitution of pub
lie positions 20 partisan purposes. Any laws
not iuconsistent with the true spirit Of our
Institutions having for their s0le object and
purpose the correction OF such abuses. ana
capable of practical and impartial enforce,
ment must commend themselves 10 all
thoughtful men.
nv views upon this eubject have been pre-
viouslv expreseet in many public utterances.
They were stated in my message TO the Leg
stature in January last ami have been e1-
empliaed IN a cOnscientous enforcement OF
the civil ser vice law Of the State during my
administration Of the office Of Governor.
MUNICIPAL REFORM.
Another of the earnest demands Of the hour
is municipal reform. Its Accomplishments
will be FASTENED when municipal elections
shall be separated from national ana state
contests. leaving the people Tree 70 select lnelr
local officers uninnueuced by partisan con-
siderations and undisturbed By nanonai ana
stale Issues.
It's TO be regretted that the powers Of some
Of our large municipalities are not sufficiently
extensive to avoid ne essity Tor constant
legislative action concerning m 4tters winch
should he under purely local control and the
details of which il W. uld seem could be more
wisely determined by local authorities.
HOME RULE FOR CITIES.
I believe IN home rule for cities. Within
certain proper limits they should be permit
ted 10 govern Themselves. inauguratng
their own public improvements, as well
ms authorizing and restricting their
own exper ditures. Thor public servants
should be held to strict accountability unuef
wise and vigorous laws, and the best citizens
should participate in the hOners and burdens
# local adm InistratiOn Ine much desired
work of munic pal reform which 50 intimately
concerns more than half the people or the
state could then be successfully inaugurated
and perfected.
LABOR INTERESTS.
The interests OF labor are WORTHY NJ serious
consideration at the hands OF tho state.
such legislation should be enacted ns is de-
manded by just aud proper appreciation OF
the wants aud needs Of the wOrkingmen.
Honest labor should be protected as far as
pos.ible from the unjust competition OF prifOn
labor, and laws should be framed providing
for amicahle arbitration Of differences be-
tween employer and employed.
TAXATION LAWS.
The lave OF The State in relation TO taxation
need revision. TO the end that all kinds Of
property may more equally be assessed Tor
the expenses Of the government aud that
many determinations and abuses incident TO
the present system may be avoided or cor
reeted / am IN favor Of acDntinuaiinn OF The
d ,licy which Is In part regulated by the law,
and which requires that considerations OF
partisausnip alone shall not control
boards aud commissions 20 be appointed by the
Executive. such as the Railroad COmmission,
Civil Service COmmisai0n, and the managers
Of our charitable and penal institutions. Ihe
choice OF persOns 10 admiaister such trusts
should be based pOn their com potency. fitness
and integrity. aud due regard for the great
public and private interests involved.
THE RECORD or THREE YEARS.
Three years ago, by an unprecedented ex-
press.on OF popular VIII. the admlnislratinn OF
state affairs was committe 10 the hands OF
the Democratic party. 10 certainly - not
,napproDriate 10 review brief tho work ac-
e0milished under that administration. Dur
irq it the State civil service law has been
enacted. and ~ row In successful operation.
Political assessments OF emplOYos in the pub
lie departments have been prOhlniied. The
r ehts OF an citizens nc primary elog tipns have
been protected and reguialei by law. The
Buresu OF Statistics Of Labor has been
established.
SAVING Tug FOREsTg.
The sale ~ state forest lands has been for
bidded. Important amendments have been
male 10 the tax Jaws, husinrs8 system Tor
the construction aud care o. the capitol has
been adopted, thereby preventing the waste
t,ualy the rule. The Receivership
abuses have been corrected. A
board OF claims has been established where
The demands OF citizens against the -tate can
lc iudicialiy determined. Deception in the
ale Of dairy products has been prevented.
and n state department in the interests u the
dsirymeu has been created. A state board
OF phai macy has been provided.
LABOR nEPORMs.
New contracts Tor convict labor have been
forbidden 10 ail penal institutions o. the
state Child labor by contract 10 peniicnti-
ares and houses of refuge has been prohibited.
Additional powers have been conferred upon
| the heads OF the municipalities. Banking
under false or misleading names has been
m 4de o crime. The sale uf canned goods has
| heen regulated and fraudulent practices
therein prevented Preference In public
employment has Dcen guaranteed 20 honor
! ably discharged soldiers. The wages 0f EN-
ployes have been made preferred claims IN
assignments. general mechanics lien law
has been rfccted