ly together in clearly defined fields of
activity. In a way each supplemented the other. Platt was neither
self-opinionated nor overbearing. He dealt with matters political with
the light touch of a man of affairs, and although without sentiment or
ideals, he worked incessantly, listened attentively, and was anxious
to be useful, without taking the centre of the stage, or repelling
support by affectations of manner. But like Conkling he relied upon
the use of patronage and the iron rule of organisation, and too little
upon the betterment of existing political conditions.

This became apparent when, as temporary chairman, he began to address
the convention. He startled the delegates by calling the distinguished
Secretary of State a "demagogue," and other Republicans who differed
with him "Pecksniffs and tricksters." As he proceeded dissent blended
with applause, and at the conclusion of his speech prudent friends
regretted its questionable taste. In declining to become permanent
president Conkling moved that "the gentleman who has occupied the
chair thus far with the acceptance of us all" be continued. This
aroused the Administration's backers, of whom a roll-call disclosed
110 present.[1571]

[Footnote 1571: The vote stood 311 to 110 in favour of the motion.]

The platform neither approved nor criticised the President's Southern
policy, but expressed the hope that the exercise of his constitutional
discretion to protect a State government against domestic violence
would result in peace, tranquillity, and justice. Civil service reform
was more artfully presented. It favoured fit men, fixed tenure, fair
compensation, faithful performance of duty, frugality in the number of
employes, freedom of political action, and no political assessments.
Moreover, it commended Hayes's declaration in his letter of acceptance
that "the officer should be secure in his tenure so long as his
personal character remained untarnished and the performance of his
duty satisfactory," and recommended "as worthy of consideration,
legislation making officers secure in a limited fixed tenure and
subject to removal only as officers under State laws are removed in
this State on charges to be openly preferred and adjudged."[1572] This
paralleled the President's reform except as to freedom of political
action, and in support of that provision it arrayed a profoundly
impressive statement, showing by statistics that Hayes's order, if
applied to all State