Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-04-09

| believe that the difference between
the Democratic and Republican parties
Is much greater and of far more import
ance than that of the Gins and outs"
regard this difference rs being, in its
main feature, the difference between To-
cal recommendations rule, on the one
hand, and Capitalization on the other.
Were therefore a Republican, and did
believe in Il single. strong, concentrated
government, | would resist civil service
reform and would have the politics of the
general government represented in every
clerkship, and its policy promulgated by
every oilice-holder. But as ! am not "A
Rcpubican-as do not believe the gen
eral government has any right to NEEDLE
with the affairs of the people any further
than to carry out the business entrusted
to it, in its strictly limited spheres-as |
am Il Democrat and resist the right of
the general government to have any infiu-
ence in the conduct of elections, | would
enforce most rigidly the policy of the
| civil service reform. Have we not felt
the powerful and baneful influence of
the general governments interference in
our local affairs by means of the Office
holders? and will we now, for the enjoy
nent of that power, it may but for Il
]
than crush it out while we may?
What are few paltry offices to the
people ut large. Do you think our peo-
pie would have excited themselves as
they did-would have made the sacrifices
they did-merelv to turn out one set of
men to put another set in their places
| No. trust the Democratic victory
meant more than this to us. 1t meant
the right to manage our own local affairs,
/ freed from the interference of the geuer-
al government. In this To me is the es-
sence of the victory of our party, and i'll
cludes all that we contend fOr-hOmc
rule.
For myself do not believe that com
petitive examinations always end in the
success of the most competent. DISPOSE
ton, temperament and examining often
secure the prize to the less competent.
But this | hold-that even so poor test
as a competitive examination is better. i'll
tinitely better, than that of the favors of
any politician.
70 me there is nothing more undemo-
cratic or less offensive than the common
expression "otlicial patronage. What
right have our senators and Representa-
tiveS to patronage? Is this. after all, an
ariStocratic government? If it is to be
Such, let US nave AT least decent arlSt0-
cracy. and not that most offensive of all
aristocracies-an official aristocracy. We
elect our Senators and Representatives Ia
legislate for Us. not to become the dis
pensers of offices and emOluments. The
official patronage is all wrong: it is des-
trOying the very constitution of the coun-
try. Our Legislators are encrOacliing up
on the executive and usurping his powers
MI, III Ia f.,
forbid Senatorial solicitation is a wise
and patriotic measure.
Mr.. Editor. believe President Clcvc-
lands policy is calculated to strengthen
his party and insure success in the com
ing elections. believe that to-day, Mr..
/ Cleveland j. stronger than his party. and
is essential to it. He i well eNemplify-
ing the motto that he serves his party
best who serves his country most.
am very respectfully.
EDWARD MCCRADY. JR.