The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-05
THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE OHIO
ELECTION.

slnTn the faSC4lS OUT.
THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE OHIO
ELECTION.
Candid and thinking Democrats
are not, and should not be, disposed
to ignore the prime cause of the de-
feat of their State ticket in Ohio.
They will also charge up to the real
debtor the loss of the Legislature
by small majority. The avoid
ance of the main fact only involves
sophistry and deception.
The election Of the Republican
candidates for State officers, not
withstanding the unprecedented
vote of2S,OOO for the Prohibition
nominee, has led many to the
thoughtless conclusion that the
Prohibition strength came mainly
from the Democratic party, and
that the Republicans were right.
after all, in advocating liquor tax
system which had been pronounced
unconstitutional in two Supreme
Court decisions, and which had
been voted down by a mountain
majority when presented directly
to the people in the form Of con-
stitutional amendment.
That there was a considerable
Democratic vote for the Prohibition
ticket can not be denied; but it was
not large enough to defeat the
Democratic ticket, and what there
was Of it was mainly owing to de-
sire for refuge from Democratic
ills. Governor HOadly and his
associate candidates retire to pri-
vate life on account Of apathy and
dissatisfaction within their party.
The Democrats had the best of
the argumentat all points in the
campaign. Governor Hoadly.
easily overthrow Judge Foraker
in joint debate, and Senator Sher-
mans sectional position was coun-
ter to the sentiment in the Repub>
lican as well as in the Democratic
party.
The Civil Service Reform fraud
has been the main cause of Demo-
cratic defeat. The falling off in
the Hoad'y vote in strong Demo-
cratic counties tells the story. The
Democrats of Ohio are sick of ny
pocrisy and buncombe. The plain
est people are well enough acquaint-
ed with the cardinal principles of
our Government to see that the
Civil Service system which was
thrown upon the new Administra-
ton is undemocratic, unrepublican,
and aristocratic and exclusive, and
they are not at all delighted with
the zeal of the Administration in
carrying out the provisions Of the
Civil Service act.
The Offices Of right belong to
the party placed in power by the
people, and the true theory of the
Government can not be carried
out through any other system.
Even viewing the question from a
mere spoils standpoint, it is invita-
BILE that the Democratic party can
not cope with it's adversary unless
it pursues the same tactics SIS to
the public places which kept the
Republican party in power for fit.
teen or twenty years.
No Democrat enjoyed place under
Republican National Administers
ton when it was possible to appoint
. Republican.
No Democrat will hold place un-
der the coming Republican State
Administration when, by either
fair means or distortion, a Republi-
can can be preferred.
The Republican State Executive
Committee, during the campaign
just closed, levied large contribu-
tions on offceholders under q Demo
cratic Administration.
Let rs not mince words about
the Civil Service fraud. 1t was
born in aristocratic notions and
cultured in buncombe. The Repub-
licans have been reaping all the
benefits. They have been preach
ing OWL Service reform to the
Democrats, and practicing Office
holding just as they did under Re.
publican Administrations.
The Democrats have been handi-
capped in the moment of the first
National Democratic victory in the