Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-09
A REPUBLICAN REFORM CLUE.

Smarting under the overwhelming defeat
of the Republican party in Massachusetts,, a
few leading members of that party have
started movement for reform. They have
issued call for a meeting to organize the
Republican Club of Massachusetts," The
principles on which the organization is to be
effected are commendable in the highest de-
gree. They aim to eliminate from the Re
publican party organization in Massachu-
setts the causes which led to its defeat at the
polls last November. And it may be broadly
stated that if Republicans will organize, all
over the country, to enforce these same prin-
ciples faithfully there could be no doubt
about Republican victory in 1892. These
principles are set forth in the call, as fol-
lows:
First-we believe in honest money. We be-
lieve in securing the adoption by the chief COM
mercial nations of the world of a fixed ratio
between gold and silver. We believe in the
conservative regulation of the currency, and
condemn Its imitation either by the issue of in
convertible paper money or by the free coinage
of the deprecated dollar. Our currency should
be established and maintained upon as firm
basis as that of any other nation.
Second-We believe in a protective tariff that
imposes duties where they are needed, and only
where needed. to equalize the labor cost of pro-
duction and to develop American resources
and American commerce, but not to relieve IA
vored corporations or individuals from foreign
competition.
Third-We believe in the extension of Amer
lean commerce and in the encouragement of
American shipping, and in placing it on an
equal footing with foreign shipping in the
struggle for the carrying trade of the world
Fourth-Ws believe that selection for the
public service should be made for merit and
not for partisan activity. and that the civil
service law should be extended to all depart
ments of the Government.
Fifth-We believe in the restriction of immi-
grafton, and in the exclusion of paupers. crimi-
mails and other persons untitled for the duties
of American citizenship.
Sixth-We believe in the preservation of our
public schools and in compulsory education.
The welfare of the State depends upon the in
telligence of its citizen.
Seventh-We believe IA fr - and pure ball.
and an honest count at every polling precinct
in the United States. There should be no re-
striction of the suffrage except by Law.
OF course there will be soma derision OF
these conceptions OF the young Massachu-
setts Republicans on the ground that they
are Impractical politics" That objection
is, perhaps. their best recommendation. IF
the Republican party suffered from any
fault of its own in last years elections, more
than from any other, that fault was too
much practical" politics. The causes at
work in Massachusetts, were much the same
as in PENNSYLVANIA. Both States are un-
quesrinnably Republican on a square parti-
san issue. But the people rebelled against
the machinery.
There is everywhere the same popular de-
mand for an honest ballot and fair count;
for the selection of men for Office on their
merits; for protective tariff to sustain the
wages of American labor; for sound cur
rency and proper circulation; for the e1ten-
sion of American commerce; for regulated
immigration and popular education. The
clre all these will not be defeated. The
danger to any one of these Republican prin-
ciples lies chiefly in the neglect of all, or
part of the others. 1t is, therefore, the duty
OF every earnest Republican to- see that
protective tariff, extension of American
shipping and sound currency are not en-
dangered by corrupt practices at elections,
abuse Of the civil service law, or the nomi.
nation of men who have nothing but parti-
san activity to recommend them. Above
all, have no candidates who are mere cIea-
lures to do the will of others.