New-York tribune., 1886-02-27
DEClDEDLY ERANK.

Ex-Governor CurUln, SluCc III Hdio aSt'u WIN
the Democratic party, has acquired new Ideas
Perhaps he only absOrbs them from his present
associates; "evi communications corrupt Roou
manners" and good men as well. But ms en-
gaging frankness brings out in all It's ofehsVe-
ness the theory upOL which great proportion
of the Democratic congressman and othcr
leaders habitualy act. In reply to Congress
man Wainei, who avowed belief in non
nartisan civil service, Governor Curtin asked
If YOU do not turn partisans out and put othef
apartisans in, what is the use of having elec
tions ~ 1t is not surprising that the House
roared with laughter. Naturally Congressman
Warner replied by a reference to Delegate
Flanagan. who asked in the Chicago Conven-
ton of $50, "What are we here for, II not for
the offices ~ and thus made name for himself
in the shortest possible time. The dlstln-
guishcd mem Der who was once War Governor
of PENNSYLVANIA, iOes not need to make name
for himself at this late day, but his brilliant queS-
tion will probably be longer remembered and
moro widely quoted than many of his most
honorable achievements.
1t is a fact which many fail to recognize, that
there is radical difference between parties In
this country in regard to the question OF Gov
ernor Curtin. In both parties, be 1t admitted
there are some spOils-huntvis, who can never
understand what we are here Tor II not Tor
the offices.n But the Republican party Is held
together by a common belief and earnest pur-
pose as to vital questions OF public polcy.
That belief controls the action of nine -tenths OF
its voters, who have no wish or hope Tor once,
and of thc greater part of its workers and pub
lie men. who honestly desire success and
mower as a means of promoting principles TO
which they are devoted. TO such men, the IN
dividual interest is subordinate. They cannot
be persuaded to fOregO their efforts for sound
currency, or for protection, or for public fAith,
or for equal rights and honest suffrage, by any
hone of Office or fear Cf losing office. They
strive for the success of the party when 1t faith
| fnllv represents their convictions, whether any
| chance of honors or emOlumcnts is open to
| them or not.
Theoretically, most of the members OF every
great party should be thus governed by poiitl-
cal convictions. But what is the fact as to the
party which Governor Curtin now serves 7 Is
if governed by conviction that home industry
ought to be protected, or by conviction that
protection is wrongful Is it governed by an
honest desire to maintain public faith anu a
sound currency, or by belief i'll cheap money
| and fiat money! Is it honest in desiring equal
rights of all citizens, or does it deliberately rob
many of their constitutional rights What
single political belief has the Democratic party,
which brings and holds its members together 7
Neither as to the tariff, nor as to the currency,
nor as to the coinage, nor as to the suffrage nor
as to the civil service, nor as to any other mat
ter under the sun, has it eny such common be-
lief and purpose 1t is held together by de-
Sire for office and by nothing else.
Hence the Ex-Governor built wiser than he
| knew when he condensed modern Democracy
INTO one sentence: "If you do not turn par
tisans out and put other partisans in, what is
the use of having elections y No use what
ever, to a party which has no principles, no be-
| liefs, and no other aim except to get Office In
the Republican party, Delegate Flanagan was
felt to be out of place. In the Democratic
party, Governor Curtin ought to be recognized
as its wisest and most fearless exponent, and
when it next selects a candidate for the Presl-
dency it ought to choose the man who best
knows what that party wants