portation should, therefore, be liberally fostered. Within the limits of the Constitution, the General Government should so improve and protect its natural waterways as will enable the producers of the country to reach a profitable market.

The people pay the wages of the public empployés, and they are entitled to the fair and honest work which the money thus paid should command. It is the duty of those intrusted with the management of their affairs to see that such public service is forthcoming. The selection and retention of subordinates in Government employment should depend upon the ascertained fitness and the value of their work, and they should be neither expected nor allowed to do questionable party service. The interests of the people will be better protected; the estimate of public labor and duty will be immensely improved; public employment will be open to all who can demonstrate their fitness to enter it; the unseemly scramble for place under the Government, with the consequent importunity which embitters official life, will cease; and the public departments will not be filled with those who conceive it to be their first duty to aid the party to which they owe their places instead of rendering patient and honest return to the people.

AN HONEST ADMINISTRATION WANTED.

I believe that the public temper is such that the voters of the land are prepared to support the

party which gives the best promise of administering the Government in the honest, simple and plain manner which is consistent with its character and purposes. They have learned that mystery and concealment in the management of their affairs cover tricks and betrayal. The statesmanship they require consists in honesty and frugality, a prompt response to the needs of the people as they arise, and the vigilant protection of all their varied interests.

If I should be called to the Chief Magistracy of the nation by the suffrages of my fellow-citizens, I will assume the duties of that high office with a solemn determination to dedicate every effort to the country's good, and with an humble reliance upon the favor and support of the Supreme Being, who I believe will always bless honest human endeavor in the conscientious discharge of public duty. GROVER CLEVELAND. To Colonel William F. Vilas, Chairman, and D. P. Bestor and other members of the Notification Committee of the Democratic National Convention.

THOMAS A. HENDRICKS' LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.

The letter reads as follows:

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., Aug. 20, 1884. GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication notifying me of my nomination by the Democratic Convention at Chicago as candidate for the office of Vice-President of the United States. May I repeat what I said on another occasion, that it is a nomination which I had neither expected nor desired, and yet I recognize and appreciate the high honor done me by the Convention.

The choice of such a body, pronounced with such unusual unanimity, and accompanied with so generous an expression of esteem and confidence, ought to outweigh all merely personal desires and preferences of my own. It is with this feeling, and I trust it is so from a deep sense of public duty, that I now accept the nomination, and shall abide the judgment of my countrymen. I have examined with care the declaration of principles adopted by the Convention, a copy of which you have submitted to me, and in their sum and substance I heartily indorse and approve the same. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

THOMAS A. HENDRICKS. To Hon. William F. Vilas, Chairman; Nicholas B. Bell, Secretary, and others of the Committee of the National Democratic Convention.

Facts about all our Presidents.

ADMINISTRATION OF WASHINGTON.

1789-1797.

THE 4th of March, 1789, was the time appointed for the Government of the United States to go into operation under its new organization; but several weeks elapsed before quorums of both Houses of Congress were assembled. The city of New York was the place where Congress then met.

On the 6th of April the electoral votes were counted. At that time, and until 1805, each elector voted by ballot for two persons. If a majority of all the votes were cast for any person, he who received the greatest number of votes became President, and he who received the next greatest number became Vice-President. When the votes were covated they were found to be for George Washington, of Virginia, 69 (all of the electors having voted for him), John Adams, of Massachusetts received 34 votes, and 35 votes were cast for various other candidates.

Charles Thompson, the oldest secretary of Congress, was sent to Mount Vernon to notify Washington of his election. Washington promptly signified his acceptance of the office, and, two days later, started for New York. He was desirous of

travelling as quietly and unostentatiously as possible, but the people of the States through which he passed would not permit him to do so. His journey was a constant ovation. Crowds greeted him at every town with the most enthusiastic demonstrations of affection and confidence; triumphal

arches were erected, and his way was strewn with flowers by young girls; and maidens and mothers greeted him with songs composed in his honor. In consequence of these demonstrations his progress was so much retarded that he did not reach New York until the latter part of April.

On the 30th of April Washington appeared on