Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-03-10
Civil Service Reform.


contented and strong support of free institu-
tons.
Civil Service Reform.
One mode of the misrepresentation of public
funds is avoided when appointment to office,
instead OF being the rewards of partisan activ-
lty, are awarded to those whose efficiency
promises a fair return of work for the compen-
Satlon paid to them. To secure the fitness and
competency OF appOintees to office and to re-
move from political action the demoralizing
madness for spoils civil service reform has
found place in our public policy and laws.
The benefits already gained through this in
strumentality and the further usefulness it
promises, entitle it to the hearty support and
encouragement of all who desire to see our pub
lie service well performed, or who hope for the
elevation of political sentiment and the
publication of political methods. The exist
ance of immense aggregations of kindred en-
terprises and combinations of business inter
ests formed for the purpose of limiting pro-
duction and fixing prices, is inconsistent with
the fair field which ought to be open to every
independent activity. Legitimate strife in
business should not be superseded by an en-
forced concession to the demands of combin-
ations that have the power to destroy; nor
should the people to be served lose the benefits
of cheapness, which usually results from
wholesome competition These aggregations
and combinations frequently constitute con-
spiracies against the interests of the people,
and in all their phases they are unnatural
and opposed to our American sense of fair
ness.
Equality Before the Law.
Tv yne extent that they can be reached and
restrained by federal power the general gov
eminent should relieve our citizens from their
interference and exactions Loyalty to the
principles upon which our government rests
positively demands that the equality before the
law, which it guarantees to every citizen,
should be justly and i'll good faith conceded in
all parts of the land. The enjoyment of this
right follows the badge of citizenship wher
ever found, and unimpaired by race or color,
it appeals for recognition to American manli-
ness and fairness. Our relations with the In
dams located within our borders impose
upon us responsibilities we can not escape. HUI
manity and consistency require to treat
them with forbearance, and in our dealings
with them to honestly and considerably re-
gard their rights and interests. Every effort
should be made to lead them through the
paths of civilization and education to self-sup-
porting and independent citizenship In the
meantime, the nations wards, they should
be promptly defended against the cupidity of
designing men and shielded from every inf1u-
ence or temptation that retards their advance
ment. The people of the United States have
decreed that on this day the control of their
government in its legislative and executive
branches shall be given to a political party
pledged in the most positive terms to the ac-
complishment of tariff reform. They have
thus determined in favor of a more just and
equitable system of federal taxation.
Without Vindictiveness.
The agents they have chosen to carry out
their purposes are bound by their promises
not less than by the command of their mas
tiers, to devote themselves unremittingly to
this service. While there should be no sur
render of principle, our task must be under
taken wisely and without vindictiveness Our
mission is not punishment, but the rectifica-
ton of wrongs. If, in lifting burdens from
the daily life of our people, we reduce in
ordinate and unequal advantages too long en-
joyed this is but necessary incident of our
return to right and justice. If we exact
from unwilling minds acquiesence in the the.
ory of an honest distribution of the funds of
governmental benefcience treasured up
principle which underlies our free
institutions. When we tear aside the deu-
sions and misconceptions which have blinded
our countrymen to their condition under VIC
ious tariff laws we but show them how far
they have been led away from the paths Of
contentment and pro 5perity. When we pro-
claim that the necessity for revenue to support
the government furnishes the only justification
for taxing the people, we announce truth so
plain that its denial would seem to indicate the
extent to which judgment may be influenced
by famility with perversions of the taxing
power; and when we seek to reinstate the self
confidence and business enterprise of our citi-
Zens by discrediting an AFFECT dependence
upon governmental favor we strive to stimu-
late those elements of American character
which support the hope of American achieve
ment.
Great Responsibility.
Anxiety for the redemption of the pledges
which my party has made and solicitude for
the complete justification of the trust the peo-
I,o1-
these with whom | am to cooperate that we
can succeed in doing the work which has been
especially set before us only by the most sin
cere, harmonious and disinterested. effect
Even if insuperabe obstacles and opposition
prevent the consummation of our task we shall
Guaranteed Cure.