New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-15
THE REPUBLICAN RECORD.
a MAsTERLY EXPOSITION BY SECRETARY
TRACY.
PRESIDENT HARRIS SONS ADMINISTRATION
AMPLY INDICATED BY THE FACTS OF
CURRENT HIsToRY-A FEW PERTI-
NENT FACTS AND FIGURES FROM
THE DEPARTMENTS AND

CURRENT HISToRY-A FEW PEhl'
NENT FACTS AND FIGURES FROM
THE DEPARTMENTS AND
FROM CONGRESS.
rhe speech made by the Secretary Of the Navy, Mr.,
TRACY on April s. at the meeting Of the Republican
Climb of assachusetts Boston, created profound m
preston upon all who heard It, and greatly aroused inc
interest OF the multitudes who read aDroeed eporS
of IL IN the newspapers In response to very genera
demand the full text Of the address is herewith pinteo
and earnestly commended to the readers OF Inc
Tribune a most valuable and Important cohtfiou'on
10 the political literature Of the day.
MR. TRACY,S ADDRESS.
Nj President and Gentlemen Of the Republican Club OF
Massachusetts.
The warm and earnest welcome you have SO gener-
ously extended TO me this evening is not, know full
well, intended in any degree personal tribute Dut
rather to testify your friendship and loyalty to the
Republican Administration OF which have the honor
to be a member. AS such thank you for this cordial
greeting To be appreciated and approved By inc
people Of Massachusetts, is In the highest degree graft
tying 20 the National Executive above all when IL
represents Republican principles. The old Bay state
was in the cradle of civil and religious liberty On this
continent In your town meetings men received
their first lessons in sefgovernment. The principles
taught here carried by the sons of New-England
into the settlements Of the great Northwest and
became the cornerstone upon which was built up the
social ard political fabric of the enterpriing and
prosperous States upon the shores OF the Lakes, the
Ohio, the Missouri and the Upper Mississippi.
On your soil took place the first conflict Of the Revo-
luton which resulted In the formation Of the Union
Here were kept glowing the fires Of liberty which
finally destroyed slavery and enfIanchised race And
Ii ts here that those who seek to Improve the standard
Of civil administration win be accorded an attentive
hearing and Just and true appreciation.
To promote good government by improving the
M min IN
the interest Of all good citizens therein Is the object
ana desire Of your organization. II IS purpose
worthy Of the cooperation OF all Intelligent and ratri'
otto men, and 1t is above all the purpose OF the Re-
publican party
The closer the study, the more careful the nvestiga
ton, the better satisfied will each and all OF you be
with tho work Of the great political organization 1nem
bership in which not very long ago synonymous
with loyalty to the Republic itself.
In 1885, after an interval OF four years. duration tho
people of the United states called the Republican party
back 10 power.
With the exception of this period, the Executive
branch OF the Government has for thirty years been
Entrusted 70 the party to which we belong. The Ad
ministration of the Government from 1861 70 1850
constitutes the most brilliant chapter In the history
of the country. 1t is chapter every page OF which
is Frightened by great achievements both In the conduct
Of war and in domestic administration. 1t MADE the
name Of the United States known and respected
Throughout the world and brought during the subse
quen period prosperity greater than the people Of
any other nation ever knew.
Bat the Republican party must be something
more than a memory. 1t cannot live on traditions.
The sgnboard its highway must point onward, not
backward to the past The young men who are about
to cast their first votes rightly ASK not so much
what the party has been what IL is now not what
it has DONE but what it do Does the Republican
party still manifest the high purpose the patriotism
the craftsmanship which for IT the fullest measure
hIfo nd fruCf in Of
and Seward, Chase and Sumner, Grant and Logan,
Morton and Andrew and Henry Wilson?
THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION.
The Executive branch of the general Government
must be judged by the character OF It's administration
OF the great Departments to which the management Of
business is confded. 1t is to the record made by
these Departments during the present Administration
that 1 ask your attention In that record must be
sought the answer to the question whether the Repub
ucan party has valid and enduring claim TO the
rood will and support of our people.
believe that it is generally conceded that this has
been working rather than talking Administration;
and venture to express the hope that at the close
Of its term il will be as generally conceded that the
business Of the Government has been carried with
the same close attention, the same fidelity, the same
economy the same effort to the highest possible
results that characterize the successful management
of the best conducted private enterprise.
rson has been at the head Of the Government the
MUGS and expenditures have reached the of $780,
600 900. This money has been collected and discussed
by over 80 900 fiscal agents, including postmaSters, a
pointed by the Executive. In the handling Of this vast
sum- not one cent has been lost by defacaton or be-
trayal Of trust
Many of political friends have complained that
the President moved too slowly In making appointments
10 Office. Does not this record Of absolute fidelity IN
,,lae OrOvn he wis
Compelled TO appoint men Of whom he could have no
personal knowledge, are not the care and the clrcum
spection that he exercised abundantly justified BY the
result In the selection Of fiscal agents it is wise 10
aderc closely TO the motto Of distinguished railway
superintendent: Safety before speed.' cheerfully
admit that those officers who have held over from the
last Administration entitled to their share Of Chi
credit but / do claim that important officer has
been appointed by the present Chief Magistrate without
the most careful inquiry as TO his character and
capacity have not sought TO make comparisons, l
have inquired to how this record stands beside
the record of what has been done BY others. 1t Is
enough to know that far personal integrity is
concerned the record Of the present Administration has
never been exceled
On one occasion during the first months of this Ad
ministrstOn 1 happened to go into the Presidents
room and found him III conference with Senator. In
urging an appointment the Senator said :: This man
has the respect Of his neigbors and has repeatedly beer
selected to town and county Offices" To this the
President replied 81 have doubt Of the truth Of
all You say but the fact that he formerly indicted
and convicted Of crime is his personal msf'etune
His appointment to ONCE would be public misfortune
have no right to impose upon my Administration th'
burden of explaining TO the people that man so con
v,cted however long ago, has since reformed ant
become a respectable citizen"
The highest test of the Presidents care in selecting
men for official places is in his appointment o
ndees. but repeat the universal opinion that M
better judicial appointments than those of this Admin
stration have been made by of its predecessors
But the influence Of the Chief Magistrate upon al
Administration, important as is this branch OF III
duties is not confined 70 the selection Of TO hol
Office; it should be actively felt throughout the who'll
conduct of executive business. And it is proper ~
me- as Secretary IN charge of of the Departments