Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-08-15
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


n'ed a. late as ten years ago, are mors than
half ohiterated and destroyed This Is ev;
dent In the increase Of tho number Of gentle
men In both Houses Of Congress. elected as
wings and Democrats, who are not to be cal
cuiased upon, as formerly, to vote with their
political friends, when 90 to do may probably
DO 70 run athwart Of the prtjudices of the
hoating vote in their respective localities. In
The last Congress, more than half the whigs
from the southern States were regarded by the
knowing ones as being ready to sustain the
general views of the Democratic party upon
the subject Of the tariff While many more
western Democrats notoriousy sustained
views upon the internal improvement ques
ton which, in 1874, were those Of the Wing
party only. In fact, ezpediency is evidently
the ruling deity of perhaps third of Con
gress. This could not be 80, unless 1t was
found to pay well Or, in other words unless
the voters at large were to be counted upon
as prone to favor ezpediency rather thar
principle, to far greater extent than few
years ago. Rejecting men Of both parties
will agree with US in the opinion that this il
unfortunate for the future of the country, in
asmuch AZ acting upon expeiisncy i5 equiva.
lent to being swayed by momentary infld
enoes which, in too many instances, fail t.
DO directed by forethought and due invesi j..
Cation Public affairs are quite as an. 70
suffer when so conducted, as a mans privat.
business, which VIGOROUSLY goes to ruin, il
nine cases out Of ten, unless managed upon
plans carefully matured after due reflection.
Expediency in politics has brought into prom
inence class of politicians who do no credit
to the American public; or its greatly in
creased power is the result of the greater in
reference Of that class in American rolitios
We refer to those persons who aim to cut and
dry everything in primary meetings and con.
ventions, everywhere. Formerly, the custom
was to deliberately discuss measures, men. and
principles before the people orally and in the
newspapers-all views upon them being fully
fairly, and respectfully heard The conse-
quence was, that few others occupied promi-
nent places in pubic affairs, or were seated
upon the tripods Ct party journals except gen
temen thoroughly versed in all the questions.
Of the day, who were quite competent to tn
satisfactory defence Of the views CT their
two sides, and who were also, personally, men
who could be placed prominently befvro tn.
country without lessening the respect of this
masses for the cause they mi ght be selected to
defend. As matters are now managed how
eve-, the distribution Of small places unae
government-natiora State, and municipal.
land Of atroc;oualy bad whisky,)-haye, f
times, really more influence in tho success Of u
political cause, than tb weight of sound argu-
ment adduced to susGain it, Three or fou,
active ethce-seeking meu meet in the back
room Of dcggsry In town or country, az d
there plot their schemes 10 carry the precinct
calculating, from experience, that by money
liquor, or other improper Influences, they viii.
surely be able to cary with them, however,,
they may vote, certain nuabsr Of The dissi
pated, thoughtless, igaorant, or th.iftless, whe
enjoy the right Of suffrage equally with thos,
always voting inteIligently and honestly. AL
inssant's reflection will assure every one that
this has beco me positive system-:hreatenine
to be permanent institution ito nisapply L
phrase) in his own election district. Thyusl
tie schemes Of such pLr.ias fail of success IL.
times, they triumph 30 frequently as to cause
ambitious men too commonly to identity theiI
own Political future with that Of the lit |,
l. nfcu Sr1ot
describe above, whose aim, in nine cases OF
ten, is merely to live Oh the national treasury
The farociOus eagernsss manifested By MOI e
or less members Of Congress, in these times
to control the dispensation Of the patronage OF
the Executive branch of the Government, W,
attribute, in great part, to thrir anxiety +,
pay OF debts conventionally due 10 sacl ,nen
hen stocking the card. in primary meeting,
and conventions was a trick almost unknown
in American political affairs, no such riglt
was assumed % members Of Congress, Lol
were they, by any means, as Uuon as a
present in the habit of dreading 20 meet dem
agogues and their plots in open combat befo.,
the people. We think the change essential,
of the increased tendency to corruption nov
prevailing If prominent politici AIS may b,
permitted to traffic in Office rewari is for thes
TO whom they believe themselves indebte,
for their places, l. stands to reason that scE,e c
them will traffic in the other Opportunities G
| their places rs rewards for themselves III
fact that it is Cow one Of the commoncst oc
currenoes Of the Day for ex members Of Con
gress TO attend at Washington egery winter e
brokers IN legislation, proves the CORRECTNESS
| of this Inference Of ours. They have the priv
| ilege Of the Hall, and know the rules, IN man
! cases, better than the members on tho foo:
| and many Of them have worked themselye
| into prominent POSITION in the estimation q
| tie country. All these advantages they SCI
for n,oney, undertaking to advocate any Ill,
ryshing likely 10 put pslf in their pockets
measures, in many cases, against which TIE,
| are poiniedly pledged by long cont1ad ,ter,
| Congressional record. This is comparative,
| d new idea, being one Of the far, conse
! quences of the convention system (packing) u
| prac istd in more than half the States of tn
| American uEion q. this time how, We hav
| explained.
| If those who really have the public good n
| heart without caring to make money TOR chem
selves out Of politics, would correct these DOS
| tive evils, they must apply the axe at i.
Foot, setting their faces firmly against the tri
umph Of any man anywhere, or Of any part,
evidently in league with the small politi