Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-09-10
tcoMHUNIoATED.I

TO the Editors Of the Daily Press:
AT the primary meetings of the several
parties, but more particularly the Democratic
party, when delegates to the nominating
convention are to be selected, the multitude
OF those usually attending will be found to
occupy the lower positions in business cir
cles and society. A number more than suffi-
cient to determine the choice between rival
contestants, are brought to the forum through
the influence of free distribution of LIQUOR
or the controlling influence of dependence of
the employer over the employee The busi-
ness of the meetings are generally conducted
upon the hypothesis that all is fair in politics.
The conduct of the controlling number is
characterized by ignoring morality. Minors,
non-residents of the ward and persons afili-
ating with other parties, vote freely and fire.
quently on several occasions. The meetings
are usually held to ratify the caucus of huck-
stering oflice-seekers through the instru-
mentality of few creatures who go to q
convention to register the will of tricksters.
The origin of the whole mischief is in
terest, An interest to acquire Office has in
creased from time to time by levying new
fees, and an increase of old ones, until now a
competence is secured for life by holding an
Office for single term. The prospect of
holding these places renders candidates ut
terly insensible to all of the principles of
honor and honesty; they, in their turn, Sc
duce retainers with the prospect of subor-
dinate positions by free expenditure of
money and flow of liquors. The result of
the influence flowing from inordinate in
terest is, that the controlling majority of
those who attend the primary meetings are
debauched, and the more respectable citizens
fee from their association, The poison does
not expend its force here, but subtilley in
fuses itself in the public through n9ws-
papers, whose highest ambition is to partake
of the public plunder.
Now, what is the remedy for these in
creasing and manifold evils, and those re-
sulting, such as the selection of the ignorant,
dishonest and incompetent to positions Of
honor, trust and proht2
. 1t is simply to prohibit officers from exact
ing fees on their own account, or that of the
public, and substitute reasonable salary to
be paid out Of the taxes. 1t is simply to
apply the same principles applicable to our
Superior Judges to Sheriffs, Clerks, Auditors,
Treasurers, Probate Judges, Recorders,
Magistrates Oonstables, Police Judges, Mar
shals, Jailers, and all other officers. Under
the new auspices the representatives,
city, State and national, would occupy
positions in the public estimation corre-
spending to their importance. The pub
lie veal would receive that attention
which higher order of talent can exert.
The ruins of fine stone-arched bridge
would not obstruct Millcreek at a place
where it could not be used. Bastard Court
and Custom-houses would not be erected on
inverted principles; the city would not be
filed with uncleansable nuisances which we
are required to call sewers, instead of in-
augurating a system capable of containing
the water and gas-pipes, telegraphic wires,
aid to the police, to be completed in such
time as the wealth of the community will JUS
tify. Many subjects at present demand the
attention of the people, but officials under
the present system are not to be confided
A City Hall, a Hospital, Work-house, City
Prison, the areas miscalled Parks, Jail, the
Improvements Of Mill and Deercreeks, all
require attention. Let the radical reform
above indicated be made, and the confidence
of the people will revive. Until then, the
less done the better. j. NJ. D.