Campaign of '84

DEMOCRATIC.

1876

1880

transfer allegiance to the incursions of
having been accep- a race not sprung
ted by European from the same great
nations, it is the parent stock, and in
duty of our Govern- fact now by law de-
ment to guard with nied citizenship
jealous care the through naturaliza-
rights of adopted tion as being neither
citizens against the accustomed to the

civili

nor ex

assumption of unau- traditions of a pro-
thorised claims by gressive
their former Gov-zation
ernments, and we crcised in liberty
urge continued care-under equal laws.
ful encouragement We denounce the
and protection of policy which thus
voluntary immigra- discards the liberty-
tion. [Plank 9. loving German and
1876-It is the im- tolerates a revival of
perative duty of the the coolie trade in
Government so to Mongolian women
modify existing trea- imported for im-
ties with European moral purposes, and
governments, that Mongolian men held
the same protection to perform servile
shall be afforded to labor contracts, and
the adopted Ameri- demand such modi-
can citizen that is fication of the trea-
given to the native- ty with the Chinese
born, and that all Empire, or such le-
necessary laws gislation within con-
should be passed to stitutional limita-
protect emigrants in tions, as shall pre-
the absence of pow- vent further impor-
er in the State for tation or immigra-
that purpose.
tion of the Mongo-
lian race.
1880
ment of the Burlin-
game Treaty. No

[Plank 10. 1880 * * * * Everywhere the protection accorded to a citizen of American birth must be secured to citizens by American adoption. [Plank 5.

Amend

more Chinese immi-
gration, except for
travel, education,
and foreign com-
merce, and therein
carefully guarded.

[Plank 11.

REPUBLICAN.

1880-Since the authority to regulate immigration and intercourse between the United States and foreign nations rests with the Congress of the United States and the treaty-making power, the Republican party, regarding the unrestricted immigration of Chinese

as a matter of grave concernment under the exercise of both these powers, would limit and restrict that immigration by the enactment of such just, humane, and reasonable laws and treaties as will produce that result. [Plank 6.

Civil Service.

DEMOCRATIC. 1872-The civil

service of the government has become a mere instrument of partisan tyranny and personal ambition and an object of selfish greed. It is a scandal and reproach upon free institutions and breeds demoralization dangerous to the perpetuity of Republican Government. We therefore regard a thorough reform of the civil service as one of the most pressing necessities of the hour; that honesty, capacity and fidelity constitute the only valid claim to public employment; and the offices of the Government cease to be a matter of arbitrary favoritism and patronage, and public station become again a post of honor. To this end it is imperatively required that no President shall be a candidate for reelection.

1876- Reform is necessary in the civil service. Experience that proves efficient, econômical conduct of Governmental business is not possible if the civil service be subject to change at every election, be a prize fought for at the ballot-box, be a brief reward of party zeal, instead of posts of honor assigned for proved competency, and held for fidelity in the public em

REPUBLICAN.

DEMOCRATIC.

ploy; that the dis1872-Any system pensing of patronof the civil service, age should neither under which the be a tax upon the subordinate posi- time of all our pubtions of the Govern- lic men, nor the inment are considered strument of their rewards for mere ambition. party zeal is fatally demoralizing, and we therefore favor a reform of the system by laws which shall abolish the evils of patronage and make. honesty, efficiency and fidelity the essential qualifications for public positions, without practically creating a life tenure of office.

[Plank 5.

1876-Under the Constitution the President and heads of Departments are to make nominations for office; the Senate is to advise and consent to appointments, and the House of Representatives to accuse and prosecute faithless officers. The best interest of the public service demands that these distinctions be respected; that Senators and Representatives

1880-✶✶ Thorough reform in the civil service.

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[Plank 5.

1880 The Republican party, adhering to the principles affirmed by its last National Convention of respect for the Constitutional rules governing appointments to office, adopts the declaration of President Hayes, that the reform of the civil service should be thorough, radical and complete. To this end it demands the co-operation of the legislative with the executive de partments of the Government, and that Congress shall so legislate that fitness, ascertained by proper practical tests, shall admit to the public service.