The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-06-03

HVHAE VI AARAAbA hENfEAA'A 80 ffNf'N
competency and held for fidelity in
the public employ that the dispens-
ing of patronage should neither be a
tax upol the time OF all our public
men nor the instrument Of their am
bition." And Mr.. Tilden, 10 accept
ing the nomination, said, "The con-
vention Justly sflirms tina, reform is
nee IS, airy in the civil service
in order that the ordinary employ
ment Of the public business may not
be "a prizs fought for at the
ballot, a brief reward OF party
zeal instead OF posts Of honor assigned
fr proved competency aud held
for fidelity in the public employ"
After setting forth with laboTe1
rhe.cr.c some OF the abuses OF a par
iisin civil service, and some steps i'm
mtdiately practicable, Mr.. Tilden
said: owe may wisely 90 on to the
abolition of unnecessary Offices, and
fiually TO the patient, careful organi-
zation o, better civil service system
under the tests wherever practicable
Of proved competency and fidelity"
When the National Democracy con-
vened at Chicago two years ago it was
clamorous for civil service reform. A. G.
Thurman was the popular idol of his
party. He stood immsssurably above
Cleveland in the affections of the Ma
tiCnal Democracy; but he was cruelty
sacrificed for Cleveland, who was re-
garded rs the strongest man because
he had won a national fame as a civil
service reformer, and because he had
said during the campaign for the Gov
ership OF New York 81 fully approve
OF the principles embodied in the Pen
dlet0n bill, and should be glad to
aid in any practical Legislation to give
them place in the management Of
the State and municipalities" who as
Governor did give his approval to
such legislation, and who in accepting
the nomination declared that "the Sc
lect on aud retention of subordinates
In government employ ment should
depend upon their ascertained fitness
aud the value OF their work." with
more to the came effect; all con-
spiring to make the people believe
that the Democratic party meant by
honest civil service reform what
was indicated by its previous
def tons OF the reforms need.
ed, and what was embodied in
the act securing appointments to those
who shovel by practicable tests their
superior fitness to do the proper work
Of the government. At all events,
nothing is more certain than tha'. il
1t had been supposed the candidate OF
the Democratic party meant anything
else than such policy, or that he was
not capable OF pulling his party after
him into an adherence to the princi-
pies that it had repeatedly svowed, he
would have been overwhelmingly de.
feated. In view OF these facts, II the
Democratic party should prove recre
ant to its pledges it will convict itselI
of juggling with words to deceive and
betiay the people. Pending the last
canvass for the Presidency the Demo
cratic party was equally as ex
plicit in its promises to re-
vie aud reduce the tariff and
its pledges that the revenue "shou q
be limited to the requirements o.
economical government" no higher
than was necessary Ito pay all ex
penses of the Federal Government
economically administered" A re
ductiou of the tariff is one OF thu
reform measures 10 which CLEVELAND
is lodged, and it is hoped he will, il
the future, urge this reform with al
much zeal as he has manifested fo
civil service reform.