The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-07-21
For the Guardian

In writing newspapers article. two
things should be kept in v:ew-be sure
to say something that is worth knowing,
and express that something in such a
manner that it can be easily understood.
When the thermometer indicates tenn
perature ranging between 80 and 1O4 . !,
ones wits. especially Woodworking
farmers. will be considerably below the
high water mark. This fact will GER
tainly be good apology for this article,
should it be deficient in interest and per-
spicuity.
1t may not be uncalled for to express
few thoughts on politics-especially
as far as it pertains to the election of
county officers. l have no desire, even
if l had the ability and that peculiar vim,
to deal out wholesale and unmeasured
denunciations upon demagogueism and
political trickeries, which are SO frequent
ly done by those who love to pull the
wires of promotion"
In reformatory matters, where evils
are to be done away with. and nuisances
are to be abated, the first step is to give
concise statement of their nature and
existence, and then, if possible, prescribe
a remedy.
From these remarks it must not be in
ferled that | regard the county offices
evils Or nuisances no, far from it, But
the manner or way the candidates are
chosen, is nuisance, bereft of every
thing which is honest and honorable.
There is a certain class of men in ey-
cry county who will always hold Office !;
not because they possess more morality.
honesty or business tact than others, but
simply because they are expert wire pull
lers.
Four or six weeks before the election
comes off, those talented and disinlerest-
ed ones who are always willing to be
subservient to the interests of the "dear
people" meet together as often as con-
venient to devise ways and means" to
get such candidates before the caucusses
and conventions as will do honor to the
party and insure victory for our side.
About the time the farmers are busy
at their corn, and making preparations
to harvest the smaller grain, l. S. Noodle,
Esq, and nine other Esquires and sew
eral gentlemen, all neatly white socked
and bear oiled, return from lager beer
saloon to the office of the aforesaid l. S.
Noodle. Esq, when the following con-
versation takes place-(no personalities
are allowed MIR. - states that GER
tain one had the Office of - for -
years, and, in his opinion, justice de-
mands change. After some low talk
ing, they agree that Mr.. - is to be
the candidate for that office. Mr.. -
gets up and introduces Junior member,
stating that he has diploma from Col
lege way down East" and knowing
his superior qualifications. he would
certainly make par excellent officer
The junior feels encouraged, but laments
the fuzzy appearance of his whiskers.
and considers this quite a damper to his
success. Yet, as genius always aspires,
he sliffens his upper lip and resolves to
try what virtue there is in coloring ex-
tracts, 10 give manly expression to his
face.
The same procedure is gone through
with until enough are chosen to make
out the ticket. From this time on to the
election day. this "chosen band" is ex-
ceedingly polite and sociable not far
mer or day -laborer comes to town, but
they cut across the street, if necessary,
to shake hands-inquire Of their health
not only, but of the whole family, from
grandmother down TO the dear little baby.