The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-18

General DIX, of New York, has recently
written letter, in which he Attitudes the
decline Of our country in political prosperity
and virtue chiefly to the habit we have mllen
into of selecting candidates for the Presi-
dency for the sake of their availability" o..
in other words, their supposed fitness t.
mako good run for the office. This is true.
But this is not the only defect or vice in
our politics, or In our modes and methods OF
nominating and eleeting men to every
respectable station, from the least to The
greatest Another is, the recognition and
support among us of class of men who
make politics a trade, and live on public
patronage
Out Of one Office into another, 40 they go,
year after year, the same individuals ever
turning up when official position is to be
attained, or there is a prospect of fattening at
the public crib. They have no especial fitness
for political place. They have no marked
6rce Of character, intellect, or practical talent
lor business. You may even wonder at their
prominent position in the party to which they
belong. But they are what they are, because
they make partisan machinery aud stratagem
their daily thought and nightly dream; and
because, most potent reason Of all, really
respectable citizens stand aloof and allow
the wire-pullers to have a clear field TO them
selves.
II there Is any member of society who is
peculiarly disqualified for official responsi-
bility, it is the man who makes the search for
place the continued business of his life. His
aim Is emolument; and as a general thing, as
long as he can satisfy his party friends, he
win not be too nice in bis choice of the means
Of gratifying his avarice. Some of this class
have no scruples in acknowledging that II
they can get into profitable berth, and line
their pockets well, they will care little for
what the world may say of a defect in their
accounts.
And yet so low has political morality fallen
among Us, that men known TO be Of this
stamp are chosen to office without difficulty,
while individuals of tried integrity and genu-
Inc ability are thrust aside. These profess
sional politicians are the creatures of our
party systems. We extend national organi-
cations into the smallest of our municipal
elections, and lose sight of the merit Of the
uOhHutts III our Dll0u huuSIeHCb JO u party
formed for purposes affecting only the general
policy of the States. To cut loose from such
corrupt and imbecile domination, we must
consent to separate national and municipal
affairs, and give more attention to the per
sonal qualifications of candidates.
The Union party, however, have com
menced hopeful and salutary reform in thi
matter. The nominations made by then
recently are, In the main, of very much NOR
meritorious character than party nomination
have usually been for several years past
Their late municipal ticket in this city, heade
BY a citizen of such irreproachable reputatlo
and sterling virtue as Mr.. HENRY @. HOWELL
who was elected Sheriff of this county, WI
quite unexceptionable while the Union cal
ddates for the Legislature and for Congre
were men well qualified for the offices {
which they were named, and worthy of pop
lar support. In word, the UniOnists ha
initiated a gratifying Improvement in Il
matter Of nominating candidates for pub
stations, and 1t is to be hoped that the peol
will sustain and encourage them hereafter
the good work.