Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-09-25
State Democratic Platform.


Convention, at Baltimrre, last week:
1t records the lasting gratitude Of the peo-
pie Of this State 10 the national democratic
committee, TO all the democratic committees
of the several States, and to the hosts Of
good men who, under the leadership Of these
committees, achieved a glorious democratic
victory in the hard-fought presidential cam
paign of 1884.
The good people of the United States, when
comparing the two candidates for the presi-
dental office, would, If left TO themselves,
have quickly recognized the inflexible integ-
rity and sterling worth OF Grover Cleveland,
and have elected him by an overwhelming
majority of electoral votes
They were resisted and divided by an OPP
position managed in every State by the ei-
forts and money Of subordinate republican
officeholders
The larger part of these men obtained their
places before the passage of the civll-service
act of 1888 as rewards for partisan services
to particular republican leaders. Another
portion, appointed since that year, owed their
places 10 their selection for political reasons
by republican superior officers from lists Of
candidates supplied by republican examin-
ers, examining boards and special examin-
ing boards They would not have been APP
pointed TO OF kept in office under any right
| reconstructed or administered system Of
civil service. They ought not to be allowed
to remain parts of q democratic administra-
ton. A civil-service system which per-
mitted such appointments, or which can be
so managed as to secure the retention OF
such incumbents, requires speedy and radi-
cal reform.
The existence of a great army of subordi-
nate federal officeholders, each holding his
place by permanent tenure, is not to be
desired. When changes Of administration
occur these fixed stipendiaries obstruct heads
of departments and superior officers with
whom they do not sympathize in opinion,
and prove great obstacles to administrative
reforms. The formation of such body, we
believe, is in opposition TO the letter and
spirit OF our federal constitution, and to the
settled convictions of a people loving domo-
cratic institutions.
The fitness of men to serve their country
as subordinate public officers ought to be
tested in such manner and under such regu-
lations as Congress may deem best adapted
10 ascertain it, Their tenure of office ought
to depend upon their actual or continued
fitness to perform official duties. During
such time as they may remain public officers
they ought TO be left free to perform the
political duties of citizen in such manner
as their individual convictions may dictate
provided in so doing they do not neglect
ther official labor, or violate the prophecies
Of public or official life. They ought not tc
be assessed for any political purposes, bui
should be left wholly free to use their means
in such proper manner as they may prefer
These Fundamental principles are the true
basis of any just theory of civil service re-
form. They have, in effect, been totally dis
regarded by the republican party and those
whom it placed in power.
We commend the elevated purposes, pu
7 rity of character, unselfish devotion to duty
: courage and patriotism of President Cleve
land. He will never forget that the right
and interests of more than fifty millions o
} his fellow-citizens were involved in the effor
made in November last TO gain democrats
supremacy, and he will never cease to re
member that democratic doctrines, rightly
and fairly administered and applied, will
insure the happiness and prosperity of TIN
, people of the United States.
We reaffirm the resolutions of the nationa
democratic convention, adopted at Chicago
in July, 1884, and we also reaflirm the reso
: buttons of the State democratic convention
. adopted on September 49, 1888.
We remind the laboring men of the Stat
that the democratic party recorded, in tn
G resolutions of its State convention in 1888,
purpose to afford all the protection whic
statutes could supply to the health, persona
safety and welfare of men, women and chill
dren engaged in labor in this State.
5 II also declared that laboring men had al
equal right with the owners of capital ;
make peaceable combinations for their owl
protection, and that snch right ought to b
recognized by statute.
nur ra,>racantativac m tho Ganarol A ocan,
bly, have given full effect by proper laws =
< these declarations, and our party stand
e ready, as occasion may require, to devote il
= energies to the promotion of the interests G
the workingmen of this State.
This convention declares its approval 0
the administration of Governor McLane dur
ing the period in which he remained in Of
fee, and approves and commends the ad
ministration of Governor Lloyd.
The democratic party Of this State invit
the hearty co-opperation of all good citizen
in the State and local campaigns into whicl
it is about To enter. 1t points to the reoor
of its administration of State, county an(
l municipal affairs during the past twent
years as its warrant for invoking their sup
port. Confiding in that record, and suS
tanned by the moral power of the nationa
: party now in power, of which it is a con
, stituent and necessary portion, it will achiev
/, victory over the open and covert enemie
of the national democratic administration
Resoloed By this Convention, representing an
! speaking for the DemO0atic. Conservative part
8 Of Maryland, That the devotion to the intel
est Of that party, as shown by his jealous
/ energetic and intelligent conduct as chic
executive officer of the democratic nationa
D organization in the late presidential contest
entities our honored Senator, the Hon. A. /
| German, 10 the hearty thanks OF his politi
cal friends, and this convention hereby give
expression to the same.
, fni,a c0,ll.u,;n,, oe,;,,o,a Of tha oLa,ooto