New-York tribune., 1885-08-13
THE LABORER IN POLITICS.
HIS VIEWS SPOKEN BY DIR. swINBURNE.

from this district. For many years as surgeon III
tho army as Health Officer of the port OF new
York as director of the American Ambulance
Corps at the siege of Paris and in the practice OF
his profession in Albany, he has had reputation
among surgeons and physicians. 1t is OF late
years only, however, that he has taken an ac'i'o
personal interest in politics.
Tho Nolan regime for years made ALBANY
| notorious in the State for misgovernment In lSSo
Nolan was elected for second term by 4'oeo
majority In 1882 he was Ienominated
Citizens independent of party, induced
DR.. Swnburne to take the nomination against h'i'
| and subsequently, he IndOrsed by the hepupl-
can city convention. The election was closely con-
| tested and Nolan declared elected py 10
majority. Evidence Of fraud was 80 clear tha' Dr'
Swinburne supported by the citizens generally
carried his case TO the courts and after long itiRa
ton was awarded the Office. In the spring OF 1884
| he was q candidate fer denomination. Ex-Mayor
A. Bleecker Banks the most popular Democrat IN
the city, was named 60 oppose him, and was elected
by $50 majority. 1t was charged and extrinslc
evidence seemed to prove the charge, that Dr'
Swinburne had again been defrauded OF an cleo
tion but the not carried into the courts.
Last November DR.. Swinburne was nominated
for Congress by the Republicans Of this district,
and was elected by plurality of $500 over Con-
gressman Van Als1yne, who carried the district In
1882 by over 5000 plurality. Dr. Swinburnes
name has been mentioned in connection Win the
Republican nomination for Governor this year. ana
the labor organizations of this city already en-
gagged in q canvass In his behalf He Expressed
himself willing to-day to give his opinions to THE
tribune on the subject of the autumn campaign.
"The question of the chances Of Republican sue
cess in the State election this fall" said Dr. SWIM
burne, depends upon tho unity of tho voters OF
that party, the policy of the party as enumerated
IN its platform, and the amount OF assistance IL
will receive from disafected voters of Democratic
preferences. 1t is clear to my mind that with q
union of the of Democratic voters. and dis
affection no any considerable extent IN Republican
ranks the chances of success are limited. In or
der to assure victory for the Republican party 1t is
| essental-frst, that there should be faith
| ful and persistent effort to unite
| tho Republican voters in favor OF
the ticket and, to do this. care should be taken
| to present an unexceptionable ticket-one made
| up, In its entirety, of men against whom no Sec
tional OF factional objections can be raised ana
| none of whom will awaken prejudices which, oper-
| ating against particular candidates, may have a
tendency to weaken the whole ticket or reduce It's
chances for success. The party which places upon
| its ticket any ono man. as candidate who may
be the subject of factional prejudces in its own
ranks or of unfriendly and damaging criticism on
the part of the opposition does much to strengthen
| its opponents. and to insure defeat to itself.
"Second-It is further essential that. In its
enunciation of principles the Republican convcn-
ton should recognize the general tendency OF the
masses of both parties to condemn many of the
evils existing In the scheme of administration OF
the affairs of the State and its municipalities. for
which each party in the past has been TO a certain
extent responsible; and it should recognize this
tendency, not because catering to 1t will increase
Its vote. but because it Is in the right di-
rection, aud II listened TO will bring good
to the masses. 1t should. therefore,
strongly insist upon the continuous enforcement
and perpetual maintenance Of the laws In oppo-
sltion TO mechanical labOrs in the prisons. just
and careful support of an honest and practical
,Civil Service refor III. and the most rigid and faith
full administration of municipal affairs. TO the end
that while the rights Of the citizens may be better
conserved the buIthens Of taxation may be de-
creased and the business interests of the masses
may be advanced"
THE woRKINGMAS LEAVES THE DEMOCRATS.
"Is the large labor vote, hitherto Democratic.
which Blaine polled likely to remain with the Re
publican partyW
"While il cannot be reasonably anticipated that
the whole Of the Democratic vote which was cast
for the support of Mr.. Blaine last fall can be re-
tanned TO the Republican party in the coming cleo
ton it is fair to presume. nay, 1t Is almost certain
that a very large portion Of that vote can be re-
tained to candidates. il the suggestions have
already made shall be acted upon aud ap
proved in the Republican convention. One
of the causes which drove that vote TO
Mr.. Blaine, the apathy of the Democratic
party to tho interests OF labor, has not
yet been removed but it has seemingly been ag-
cravated by the course which the present National
Administration has adopted IN reference to some of
its appointments, as IL has ass been by the appro-
val of the Secretary of the Treasury Of the letting
OF contract for the preparation OF stone for Gov
ernrnent work TO those employing convict labor.
and by the evident abandonment OF the promises
of President Cleveland in favor OF Civil Service
Reform concealed beneath his ostensible show in
favor Of the same There is. apparently growing
lack Of confidence In the Administration in tho
ranks of its party from these and other causes
and, if the Republican party is wise, 1t will take
heed and so shape its course, in its convention. as
to convince the dsafected of the opposition Of the
sincerity Of its professions in behalf of the people
In the fanciful plan for Civil Service rosorm, as
attempted to be laid down by its promi-
nent proponents and most earnest sup
porters, there many things VIII ich
are useless. and others quite impractcable.
The general scope of examinations prescribed Is
liable to these objections and attach little value
TO the system of examinations as prescribed What
is needed is that rigid examinations should be
made as to the practical fitness and capacity of
applicants for appointments for the performance of
the duties of the positions sought, and an assur-
ance, in addition, of the honesty and industry OF
the applicants To these points should all Civil
Service examinations be directed, and they should
apply as we'll TO present incunbents as to new ap
pontees flor very much doubt whether all who
are now holding official positions could stand these
lust and simple testsl. and here these cxamina-
tions should iud their init.
"There arc but very few. If any. appointed
Offices IN the gift of the General or State Govern