Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1876 — A Picture of the Two Candidates. [ARTICLE]

A Picture of the Two Candidates.

And as to the cry for reform the promise of which is the burden of the Democratic platform, it is the old cry of ‘‘stop thief.” The Democrutic party hasneither proposed nor accomplished any reform for thirty years. That reform which is demanded by the general voice of the people—a reform in our civil service—depends almost entirely upon the President and heads of departments. The Constitution invests them only with the appointing jiower. The law now on the statute book passed by a Republican Administration confers all possible power upon these officers to accomplish this reform. You have the plain promise of Gov. Haves in his letter of acceptance that he will bring about this reform, and his promise is one that never has been broken. All hope for civil service reform must depend upon the character, tendency and promise of the President to be elected. Contrast Gov. Hayes and Mr. Tilden, and then answer your consciences which of them is most likely to secure reform. Mr. Tilden is a New York lawyer, trained in the school of Van Buren, who was the author of the policy that “to the victors belong tlie spoils.” Mr. Tilden’s political life was spent in the city of New York, and his business life in the wrecking of corporations. Would any sensible man look to him, followed as he will be, by a hungry horde of office-seekers, to secure a reform of the civil service? Gov. Hayes was reared in the more modest and, I think, purer school of Ohio politics, and his professional life was spent in punishing crime and securing justice to the poor and defenseless. His action as Governor here in Ohio has been distinguished bv wise administration at our benevolent and reformatory institutions, in which lie knew no politics, and won the respect and esteem of his political adversaries. You know him well, and his purity and firmness of character. He is now solemnly pledged to reform the civil service, and gives you the highest security that be will execute that pledge by an act of self-abnegation, by assuring you in advance that he will in no event be a candidate for a second term. What motive can he have, except to give you an honest and pure Administration ?

And there is one other test-which, when applied to these candidates, should influence the mind of every patriotic citizen. Mr. Tilden is the reputed author of the “submission” plank of the Democratic platform of 1864. If he distinguished himself by any act of patriotism in the time that tried men’s souls I never heard of it. Gov. Hayes was distinguished for gallant services in the army, and bears honorable wounds. Every page of liis life is marked by ardent patriotism. No temptation of interest or safety could induce him to leave his duty in the field until the surrender of even* rebel army. Surely, when choosing a Chief Magistrate, this is the highest test of merit.— Senator Sherman'* Sjteeeh at Marietta, Ohio.