San Andreas independent., 1858-08-28
LETTER FROM NORTH BRANCH.
North BnANcH. August 25th. 1883

0ohfh DHANch, august zotn, 1905.
Mr.. Editor Before next issue of the Iade-
pendent, the voters of this county and State
will be called upon to discharge one of the
most important duties that deyolyes upon a
free people. Upon the recurrence of the day
when the people of republican government.
In the exercise of their sovereign rights. dele
gate their powers and say who shall rule over
them, 1t is eminently Democratic that their Sc
lection OF men should be made, not only with
reference to the avowed principles which they
are known to be conscientious exponents of,
but, also, that a due regard should be had to
their private integrity and characters as men,
as well as possessing the necessary ability for
the discharge of their duties with honor to
themselves and credit to their constituents
The Jeffersonian true test of qualification
for office seems, of late, to have been entirely
lost sight of. "Is he honest is he capable ?"
was the test applied by the fathers of Democ-
racy, to all who aspired to official position.
Perhaps no better reason exists why the
financial condition of our State and county
presents sucha disordered condition than that
honesty and capability in political aspirants for
Office have been wholly ignored--thrown to-
tally aside, or become absorbed by fealty and
devotion to party.
1t is a matter of congratulation, however,
to perceive great change being brought
about in this respect. The candidates upon
the Popular Sovereignty ticket of this county
are men eminently worthy, both from the pn-
rity of their private character and known abil-
itv, of the sutfrages of their fellow citizens
Some of them have been already tried in high
and responsible positions, and the record of
cf cbO Al
not misplaced renewal of their confidence bv
again trusting those who have already proved.
themselves trustworthy.
The Popular Sovereignty ticket is made nm
of thorough-gong; practical men. The nom
ines for Senator is a practical miner and re-.
specting him it is enough to saw that the
stump speakers of the Administration nartv
throw none of their expectorations of black
guardism at Mr.. Marlette. He is n man uni-
versally esteemed, and in this campaign will
run far ahead of his ticket Two of the nom
lnees for the Assembly have served in that
capacity before, and are we'll and approvingly
known to the people of the county. O'Brien
and Shuler, while representatives from this
county, were faithful and attentive to their
duties as egislators-always to be found in
their place, jealousy guarding the interests of
miner, and has done more by the contributions
OF his pen than, perhaps, any other man out
side of the legislative halls of this State, to
prevent taxation of mining claims. He has
always lived in the mining counties of the State,
and is thoroughly conversant with the wants
OF the mining population. Let the people elect
such men-nlen who are identified with their
interest and prosperity, and there is good
grounds for hope tina. our county may yet Sc
cure that regenerating influence which will
elevate her to that position which her own
resources and the industrial claims of her peo-
pie entitle her.
truly hope and trust that the working pop
ulation for they are the sovereign power)
have given the great issues of the day due and
serious consideration. A great principle is
involved in this issue-a principle upon which
no room is left to cavil about That very De-
mocracy which has boasted Justly of having
widely extended the arms of liberty, citizen
ship and protection to the down. trodden mill
ions OF other lands, now stauds-unless upheld
by the people themselves-in imminent danger
of falling to the ground. But the people will
not, cannot allow ambitious demagogues to
break down the bulwarks of liberty.
Mol Rather than permit a single encroach-
ment to be made upon their rights, let every
patriot claim the liberty y-inspiring flag of his
country as n windng-sheet, and sleep the
sleep of death on the land made sacred by the
blood of patriots. A VoTER.