Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-08-05
and to provide some mode by which the de-
sired result may be obtained.

and to provide some mode by which the de-
sired result may be obtained.
THE TARIFF.
We reafirm the declarations of the Ma
tional Democratic party at it's last conven-
ton on the subject of the tariff, and especi-
ally do We maintain that the necessary re-
duction in taxation can and must be effect
ed without depriving American labor of the
ability to compete successfully with foreign
labor and without imposing lower rates of
duty than will be ample to cover any in
creased cost Of production which may exist
in consequence of the higher rate of wages
existing in this country. And we favor, as
in 1888 and in 1884, tariff for revenue,
limited to the necessities of the Govern
ment economically administered, and so ad-
Iusted in its application as to prevent un-
equal burdens, encourage productive indus
tries at home, and afford just compensation
to labor. but not to create or foster monop,
olies. In the necessary reforms to remedy
the abuses of the existing tariff the schedule
rates should bear heaviest on articles of lux
ury and lightest on articles of necessity.
CIVIL SERVICE.
We reiterate our advocacy of such civil
service reform as will make character and
fitness the tests of official preference and
exclude the loathsome systems of the Re-
publican party, which became the scandal
of the country; but we hold, at the same
time, that an Administration charged with
the solemn responsibilities of government,
and needing relations of confidence and har-
mony between it and its subordinates to Sc
cure efficiency, should not be unduly ham,
pered by having obnoxious officials forced
into or continued in its service. No efica-
cious system can be established that does
not work in accord with the will and aspi-
rations of the people under ALI executive
head untrammelled in the exercise of Off
cial positions, and the fundamental princi-
Piles of free government exact that the pow
ers of the Executive shall not be shackled
by the usurpatiOn of a commission or other
official power unknown to the Constitu-
ton.
THE ADMINISTRATION.
We rejoice that in the Administration of
Grover Cleveland as President of the United
States, sectional lines have been obliterated
honorable and upright men have been ap-
pointed to office, and that the work of re-
form has been initiated by dispensing with
needless Offices, cutting down expenses in
the various departments, refusing the &C.
ceptance of contract work not fulfilling the
specifications, and in securing to the peo-
pie the vast area of the public domain un-
justly held by large corporations. We con-
graduate the people of Virginia that he has
removed in many instances the obnoxious
partisans who neglected public duties for
party work, and have confidence that the
blessings Of good government already Sc
cured will be amplified and extended under
an Administration which has set its face
sternly against corruption, and has so
speedily entered upon the great work of re-
form.
We spurn the charges brought against
the Democratic party set forth in the docu-
ment purporting to be Republican State
platform. 1t says, for instance, that the
Democrats of the last Legislature uEseated
seventeen Republican members and seated
Democrats, whereas the records show that
out Of twenty-three cases of contests over
elections, in ten cases Only were Democrats
awarded seats, and in only six of these were
Republicans unseated.
1t says that the Democrats passed over
seventy acts relieving defaulting collecting
officers, whereas with single exception no
such acts were passed. The acts referred to
were less than twenty in number, and were
the Republicans and approved by Repub-
lican Governor. Again, it is charged that
the Democrats squandered the surplus they
found in the State Treasury, whereas a
larger surplus now exists than when the
Democrats came into power. about one mill
ion of which has been invested in Riddle
berger bonds. Of such extravagances, con-
tradictien and self-stultifcatiOn is this Re-
publican platform made.
The Democratic party has always been
foremost to exalt and dignity every func-
ton of the State Government. 1t has Gre
ated the vast network of railroads and
turnpikes which have developed our. re-
sources. 1t has been the steadfast friend of
labor, and it has never neglected the just
and ordered rights of property; frowning on
all class distinctions in all efforts to array
one portion Of the community against an
other ON issues outside of the domain of
politics, it recognizes and will maintain all
classes of the Commonwealth in their civil
and political rights. We must not overlook
the vast importance of Democratic control
Of the Federal Government, and we exhort
every Virginian to remember that the sue
cess of Democratic policy in Virginia may
well be of vital moment in confirming and
Strengthening the suspicious hold on the
tablished in the pure and enlightened adj
ministration of Mr.. Cleveland. We there
fore proudly proclaim our allegiance to the
Constitution and the Union of the States,
and to the National Democratic party as
their interpreter and defender. To that
great party is specially confided the future
maintenance of those principles of local
elfgovernment administered by the States
and limited imperial power entrusted to the
Federal Illustration, which can alone by
their harmonious working secure and per-
petuate the free Institutions of a territory
SO extensive and population so vast as those
of the United States. Men of Virginia. In
that fundamental idea of the Democratic
party is summed up your final condemna-
ton of our opponents-the only denuncia-
ton we mean here to visit on their heads
Other times and other places will serve for
the detailed criticism of their men and
measures. Let this suffice here They
were first the allies, they now proclaim
themselves full and accepted members of
the National Republican party. The patri-
otto voters of this Commonwealth will new
er surrender its destinies to that party Of
sectional hate and constitutional heresy.
Confident as of old that the true heart of
the people will utter its real voice in the
cent legislation secures, and that the virtue
and intelligence of the State will. award
ed due influence in its Government. the
Democratic party calmly RENTS the issue
now joined to the voters of Virginia.
HON. RUFUS A. AYRES.
who had been nominated for Attorney Gen
eral, was next introduced to the conven-
ton. He said that words failed him to ex-
press his feelings at the honor conferred up
on him, and for him to take it as personal
tribute would be egotistical. 1t was trib-
ute to the Young Democracy that had in
the last campaign helped to redeem the
State. He said the time had come for act
i've work, and he pledged himself to earnest
effort.
CLOSING SCENES.
Gen. James A. Walker, of Wythe, was
next introduced to the convention, and
made warm and spirited speech, saying
that wherever the fight was thickest and
the battle hottest he would be.
Loud calls were made for Hon. John W.
Daniel, and in response this distinguished
Virginian delivered patriotic and eloquent
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