Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-09-12
losses of idleness with
or, but under the operation

the losses Of idleness with
labor, but under the operation
OF trust, in some of its
forms, the wage-workers alone suffer the
loss, while the idle capital receives its
dividend upon the trust fund producers
who refuse to join the combination are
destroyed, and competition as an element
OF prices is eliminated. 1t can not be
doubted that legislative authority should
and will find method of dealing fairly
and effectually with these and Other
abuses connected with this subject.
PENSIONS FOR SOLDIERS.
1t can hardly be necessary for me
to say that | am heartily in sympa.
thy with the declaration of the Conven-
tion upon the subject of pensions to our
soldiers and sailors. What they gave,
and what I had some opportunity to OBJ
serve and in small measure to expert
ence, they gave ungrudgingly. 1t was
not trade, but an Offering; the
measure was heaped upon run
ming over. What they achieved only
distant generations can adequately tell.
Without attempting to discuss particular
propositions, 1 may add that measures
in behalf of the surviving veterans Of
the war and of the families of their dead
comrades should be conceived and exc
cuted in a spirit of justice and of most
grateful liberality; and that, in compe-
titioD for civil appointments, honorable
military service should have appropriate
recognition.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The law regulating appointments to a
classified civil service received my sup
port in the Senate, in the belief that it
opened the way to a much needed re-
form. 1 still think go, and therefore
cordially approve the clear and forcible
expressions of the Convention on this
subject. The law should have the aid of
a friendly Interpretation and should be
faithfully and vigorously enforced. All
appointments under it should be abso-
lutely free from partisan consider
alton and influence. Some extensions
of the classified list are practicable and
desirable, and further legislation extend
ing the reform to other branches of the
service to which it is applicable, would
receive my approval. In appointments
to every grade and department, fitness.
and not party service, should be the
essential and discriminating test, and
fidelity and efficiency the only sure ten
ure of office. Only the interests OF the
public service should suggest removals
from office. l know the practical diff
Guilty attending the attempt to apply the
spirit of the civil service rules to all the
appointments and removals. 1t will,
however, be my sincere purpose, if
elected, to advance the reform.
VIRTUE AND TEMPERANCE.
1 notice with pleasure that the Con-
vention did not omit to express its solici
tude for the promotion of virtue and
temperance among our people. The Re-
publican party has always been friendly
to everything that tended to make the
home life of our people free, pure and
prosperous, and will in the future be true
to it's history in this respect.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with foreign powers
should be characterized by friendliness
and respect. The right Of our people and
of our ships to hospitable treatment
should be insisted upon with dignity and
firmness. Our Nation is too great, both
in material strength and in moral power,
to indulge in buster or to be suspected
of timorousness. Vaciliation and in
consistency are as incompatible with sue
cessful diplomacy as they are with
the National dignity. We should espec-
tally cultivate and extend our diplomatic
and commercial relations with the Cen
trail and Southern States. Our fisheries
should be fostered and protected. The
hardships and risks that are the neces-
sary incidents of the business shall not
be increased by an inhospitable exclusion
from the near lying ports. The resources
OF firm, ,dignifed and consistent diplom-
acy are undoubtedly equal to the prompt
and peaceful solution of the difficulties
that now exist. Our neighbors will
surely not expect in our ports CONNER
cial hospitality they deny to us in theirs.
CONCLUSION.
I cannot extend this letter by special
reference to other subjects upon which
the Convention gave an expression. In
respect to them, as well as to these, 1
have noticed 1 am in entire agreement
with the declarations of the Convention.
The resolutions relating to coinage and
the rebuilding of the Navy, to coast
defenses and to public lands, ex-
press conclusions to all of which
1 gave my support in the Senate. In
viting a calm and thoughtful consider
alton of these public questions, we sub
nit them to the people. Their intelli-
gent patriotism and the good Providence
that made and has kept us nation, will
lead them to wise and safe conclusions.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BENJAMIN HARRISON.