Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-13
CLEVELAND'S TALK
The EX.President's Address to
 the Merchants of Boston.
OVER FOUR HUNDRED PRESENT

OVER FOUR HUNDRED PRESENT Governor Ames Greets MT. Cleveland Witb
 Complimentary Sentiment. Ballot and Civil Service Reform Discus sed by the Ex-President-Political Sell fshness and the Wretch Who Sells His vote-Prostituting Suffrage for the Pur- pose of Private Gain. BOSTON, Dec. 13.-Over 400 of the solid business men of Boston and New England crowded the spacious apart ments of the Hotel Vendome last night on the occasion of the annual banquet of the Boston Merchants Association.
 It was SIS o'clock before President Lane called the attention of the gather ing. After brief speech he introduced Gov. Oliver AmeS, who, in few words welcomed the guests of the occasion. When he mentioned the welcome OK tended to the distinguished guest from New York, the asSem blaze greet cd the reference with loud applause. Gov. Ames then turned to MT. Cleve- land and said: "lf wicked Democrats speak as we'll of me when l retire from office as Republicans now do of you, l shall be abundantly satisfied" This sentiment was loudly cheered.
 President Lane then, in very few words, introduced exPresident Cleve- land.
 MT. Cleveland was received with long continued applause. He spoke Tn strong, well modulated voice, and was easily heard by all. He praised the Boston merchants for their commercial integrity and probity, and then launched off on to politics. He said that political selfishness cheapens in the minds of the people their apprehension of the character and functions of the Government; it distorts every concep- tion of the duty of good citizenship and creates an atmosphere in which iniqui- tous purposes and designs lose their odious features. It begins when per verted judgment is won to the theory that political action may be used solely for private gain and advantage, and when tender conscience is quleted by the ingenious argument that such gain and advantage are identical with the public welfare. This stage having been reached, and self-interest being now fully aroused, agencies are used and practices permitted in the accomplish ment of it's purposes which seen in the | pure light of disinterested patriotism, | are viewed with fear and hatred. The Independent thought and free political preference of those whom fate has made dependent upon daily toll for hard-earned bread, are strangled and destroyed by intimidation and the fear of loss of employment. Vile, unsavory forms rise to the surface of our agitated l pate in the anxiety of selfish interest, their opportunity to fatten upon cor rupted and debauched suffrage.
 Tho Wretch Who Sells His Vote.
 Let us look with degree of pity and charity upon those who yield to fear and intim ldation in the exercise of their right of suffrage. Though they ought not thus to yield, we cannot forget that as against their free ballot, they see in the scale. their continued employment, the comforts of their homes and the maintenance of their families. We need not stifle our scorn and contempt | for the wretch who basely sells his vote. and who for a bribe betrays his trust of citizenship. And yet the thought will intrude itself, that he but | follows in low and vulgar fashion, the example of those who proceed upon the theory that political action may be turned to private gain.
 But whether we pity or whether we hate, our betrayal is mono the less com plete; nor will either pity or hate re- store our birthright. But we know
  stroyed our dangers will disappear; and though the way to the stronghold may be long and weary, we will follow it figh ting as we go. Ther, will be no surrender, nor will there be assertions from our ranks. Selfishness and cor ruption have not yet achieved lasting triumph, and their bold defiance will but hasten the day of their destruction. The Advent of Ballot Reform.
 ] ho iy, has fixed the gaze of our patriotic fel low-countrymen and everywhere-in our busy marts of trade and on oul farms-in our cities and in our vii lages-in the dwellings of the rich ana in the homes of the poor-.ln our uni versities and Tn our workshops-in oul banking houses and in the ranks of in. exorable toil-they greet with enthusi astic acclaim the advent of Ballot Re form.
 There are no leaders in this cause. |, Those who seem to lead the movement are but swept to the front by the surg ing force of patriotic sentiment.
 This reform is predicted upon thu cool deliberation of political selfish ness in it's endeavor to prostitute oul suffrage to the purposes of private gain l It is rightly supposed that corruption of the voter is entered upon with sucl business calculation that the corrupto
 will only pay brlbe when he has ocu lar proof that the suffrage he has bar ', gained for is cast in his interest. So N too, it is reasonably expected that i the employe or laborer is at the time o casting his ballot removed from the i'm mediate control of his employer, tn
 futility of fear and intimidation vii ,r lead to their abandonment.
 o Civil Service Reform the Safeguard.
 1 remem Der the inauguration of an
 other reform; and that 1 have seen
 grow and extend, until it has becom
 firmly established in our laws and prac tice. It is to-day our greatest safe ,, guard against the complete and dis
 graceful degradation of our public ser
 vice. It had its enemies, and all o
 them are not yet silenced. Thos
 openly and secretly unfriendly, sai
 in the beginning that the scheme wa r impracticable and unnecessary; that
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