Year: 1871

Tho Missouri hovement Towards u Ma


tional Union Reform Party.


The national union reform party in Missouri
has recently made an important movement
towards the opening Of the Presidential cam
paign Of next year. Despite the persistent
efforts of the administration journals to repre-
sent the republican opposition, which carried
the State last year by an overwhelming
majority as no longer In existence, the Brown
schurz party has not only proved that 1t still
lives, but that 1t numbers In Its ranks the
most active and influential politicians in the
State. The address of this imposing and
successful organization is powerful docu-
ment, and, while temperate in its language,
it arraigns the administration as unfaithful to
its professions in favor Of reform in the various
departments Of the national government, and
as the unfortunate dupe Of corrupt and
dangerous men. Its platform of principles de-
clares as its main plank thorough, practical
reformation In the civil service; and on this
popular Issue It appeals to the opponents Of
the present administration in other States to
aid in forming new national union reform
party in time for the approaching Presidential
campaign. The sudden and overwhelming
force that reform movement may acquire,
when once 1t receives the endorsement of the
masses Of the people who are independent Of
political ties, is seen from the experience Of
New York, where in q day, as 1t were, q
political combination more powerful than any
other in existence was swept away and
became thing of the past. The determina-
strong in the mind Of the people, and the
signal victory won in this city has acted as an
incentive to further effort. The dishonesty of
the revenue service is notorious, and the
existence Of Washington rings is as well
known as was the existence Of the Tammany
Ring In New York. Should the feeling once
become general that civil service reform is
not to be hoped for ct the hands Of the present
administration we might have q revolution
throughout all the States of the Union next
fall as overwhelming as that we have recently
experienced in our own State.


The safety of President Grant lies in the
immediate and honest enforcement Of the
programme laid down by the Committee on
Civil Service Reform. The people have no
faith In Congress in this matter; and the peo-
pie are correct. Every Representative has his
political friends to atisfy with some good
picking from the national departments, and will
not willingly give up the capital derived from
his influence with the administration. In Sc
lections for Office, from the highest to the
lowest positions, the capacity and integrity Of
considerations. The more unscrupu lous an
applicant may be as politician, the greater
may be his reputation as a ward bully or as Q
.own organizer, the better are his prospects
OF success. There may be great deal Of talk
in the House In favor of reform that shall
sweep away party patronage and all the
public Offices with competent and faithful
men, but there will be no practical action lead
ing 70 such . result. The President, however,
has the power to make civil service reform
for himself He certainly has failed to do so
up 10 this time, although he has checked some
OF the boldest and most unconcealed corrup-
ton. 1t is not too late for him to complete
lhe work, independent Of Congress, and by
this policy alone can he escape the danger
that threatens him. Although the chances at
present favor an easy victory for him next
year, We have already seen how overwhelm-
ing popular reform movement may become
| on the instant and without prior organization
| By taking into his own hands tina sAfnrmation