The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-03-16
fHE CIVIL SERVICE LAWS.
Ohio Democrats Make Them the
Topic CT Discussion.

The Ohio Democrt tic Assoc alton held
an Ell thusiasiiclmeeiing IT its hesdqusr4
ters in Washington. March 81, with the
civil service reform laws ss the topic Of
discussion. Ex Commissioner Thomsn
led OF with defense OF the enact ment.
He explained is, provisions, and an
swered the objections to it. He then
reviewed the histoIic u,terances tf the
Democratic leaders and party iu the line
OF reform He read Jackson's letter to
Monroe in 1916, just before TIE latter's
and then referred 10 the
Democratic pttforms of 1872, 1875, and
1884 He pleaded for an elevation in
polit Cal tone, and that the Republiesn
Jay Huhbell mt ,sds Ct assessment and
patronage distribution as spoils should
he discarded. He advised the Onio De-
mocracv to purify themselves against
their own frauds aud not t. follow Re-
publican corruptiou. He said that Cle,e-
lands election was due t. the CT crpohBg
OF the R 'Luhlicsns nv the Eat-n law,
Gen. j. W. D, ven f llowed. He said
that the r,f,rm law might he all right,
hut it should apply only t, Democrats.
Lot them test capacity, but only that Of
Democrats. He then revie~ed Tho
mans citations, showing that there were
no parties when Monroe was President.
He saId that Harrison vas President
one month only. yet he removed eight
thousand Postmasters. He did not care
who fret uttered "to the victors belong
the spoils." II was metaphor In which
be believed. He thought that on Ad-
ministration should give every Office to
its trusted friends. He had never bead
OF victors pills ging their own camps
and turning its spoils over to the enemy.
! Congressman Ellshury then made the
riproaring speech ef the night, which
was applauded loud and long. He wan,ed
the Law repealed, but that could not lie
done, yet. He had gone on his knees Of
department to beg for an Office for q
daughter Of an inebriate Judge in bis
district, hut was told that there was no
place. He bad gone to see Vilas, and q
big-whiskered man met him at the door.
"Wbat are your politics 2" the OLio
representative asked.
IL have none" said the 'doorkeeper.
"Then knew be was Republican.
said Mr.. Ellsburv, sfor no Democra.
lives who does not svow hi, faith and
work early and late for his party. saw
vilss. | wanted postsl clerk from
Columbia to Homsrsville, where Tom
Homer, who made Grant cadet, lived.
Villas sent me to John Jamison. l told
him the Republican incumbent bai bred
band in the campaign, and had meet.
ing nearly in nv door yard, abusing me
and Cal ing Cleveland unmepiionahle
names. Jamison said Congressman
Csmphelf wanted the place. Just then
Canphell came iu. ! asked him &, re-
lirquish the place TO me He said take
1t, tor heavens sake, if you can get 1t.
I've tried six months for the change"
Mr.. Eilsbury then rebuked Judge
Thoman for int tmating fraud. and de-
clared that his party was pure in Ohio.
He eulogized Senator Psvne and de-.
n"unced the charges Of bribery. He
ended a fierce, vindictive, and earnest
speech by saying that he was ashamed
to 60 home, knowing that he had not
done anvthing for his constituents. He
could not help the son of man who
had died at Gettysburg. He could not
help cripple who had worn the blue,
except t, some 1920 place, to he domi-
peered over bv some white-necktied Re-
publican still drawing $4,000.
| Mr.. Ellsbury asked anv civil service
appoirtee in the room who was Dem-
ocrat to stand up. One solitary man
arose. The President promptly charged
him, without denial, With hing Re.
luhlican, and he said be was from Penn
svlvania.