National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-09
suR1EKrNG For TIE spo1Ls.
The virginia Democratic Association
Applaud an Anti-Administration Ad-

Applaud an Anti-Administration Ad-
dress,
A regular meeting of the Virginia Demo-
cratic Association was held last evening at
their rooms in Gunton building, Ninth
street and Pennsylvania avenue, and despite
the inclement night there was large at
tendance Of members. Col. II. l.. Biscoe,
president, was In the chair, and announced
that in consequence Of the absence Of the
secretary with the books and papers the
regular business would have TO lay over.
On motion, Thomas j. Elan was chosen
secretary pro tenn.
Hon. Eustace Gibson, OF West Virginia,
was introduced and made an address. He
reviewed the presidential contests for the
past sixteen years, and asserted that the
Democracy OF the north had not been
faithful to the party lie claimed that,
while the party had been successful OF the
last election, IL had suffered betrayal at the
hands Of those then elevated, He declared
that the battle cry Of the campaign was
"turn the rascals OUT instead Of that the
rascals were promoted. He believed in the
good old Democratic doctrine of ITO the
yictors belong the spoils.n They who
worked and labored for the election Of the
Democratic ticket expected some return,
but when they came here looking for Office
they were called spoilsmen, scarcely no
ticed, and In some instances insulted. lie
pronounced civil service reform all bosh,
and charged that those enjoying the
power filed the Offices with their own rela-
tives, and saw that members OF their own
families were provided with soft berths. He
referred to visit he made to this city i'm
mediately after the presidential election,
and declared that he was so insulted by the
language used by Republican clerks that he
was compelled to leave the street car in
which he was riding. Now, when he visited
the departments, seeking to secure place,
fc not only was treated with indifference,
but found these same Republicans still in
office.
lie then referred TO the work the Dem
ocrats of this District had done for the
party In his own district and elsewhere,
and said IL was n shame that they should
be treated as they were. He believed that
the President was honest aud meant TO do
right, but he was making mistake, sad
mistake, and which II not corrected soon
would break up the Democratic party.
lie wished IL understood that this would
he heard from In Congress. lie wanted the
President talked to plainly. The Cabinet
talked to as plainly, and given to under
stand that Democratic victory meant some
thing more than putting sons and cousins
in Office. He referred to a case where he
had tried to get clerk out for the purpose
Of getting another one in, and was met by
the answer that Il could not be done-civil
service stood in the way. Here could be
found seven or eight perhaps, niue, of one
family in office, but they could rot be
gotten out. lie did not like that sort ct
civil service, and was not afraid to an
nounoe 1t publicly. He said that at the
present time Of all the Offices under the
government ouly two-sevenths were in the
hands of the Democrats and five.sevenths
in the possession of those who opposed the
Democrats, and whom the people rose up
against and hurled from power. He be-
lieved in helping the "boys" who gained
the victory.
At the conclusion Of his remarks, which
were warmly applauded, Mr.. Gibson was
unanimously elected member of the asso-
citation.