Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-10-30
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Gle under the above head, which we had
translated for THE SrATEsMANimmediately,
but which has been crowded outuntll now.
| We take great pleasure in printing it, and
commending it to our readers. it's timely
and just and we trust that its suggestions
will not be disregarded. 1t is as follows
From The Westbotol
| ANeedsd Reform. fNE'f)f
No.one-no matter to which party he be-
longs-will dispute the fact, that our people
universally go too carelessly about the work
of nominating candidates for Office, for the
management of their public interests. We
write nothing new, when we say, that per-
sons are often nominated and elected TO i'm
portant offices of trust, of whom 1t is noto-
rlously known that they are not able to
manage their own business in an orderly
manner. We write nothing new, when we
allege, that often persons are nominated
and elected to weighty offices, in which 1t
Is necessary to handle thousands of dollars,
whom no prudent citizen, in his own busi-
ness, would trust with the management of
hundred dollars. We write nothing new,
when we allege, that the people often elect
officers who are thoroughly incapable ofper-
forming their duties properly; and we write
nothing new when, finally, we mention
that frequently scamps, loafers, and good
for-nothings, are nominated and elected,
This evilby no means confines itself to one
party it is rather the hereditary evil of all
parties, by which, If it gets too much the
upper-hand, they often, and rightly, come
to ruin.
The People themselves are at bottom re-
sponsible for this evil condition of things,
because they are too easy and careless to
participate in the primary elections and
leave the field to the office-hunters by pro-
fession, and their runners. Instead of en-
gaging actively In the nominations, many
say: "I am all right; when the election
comes, / will be on hand, and that is the
chief matter" No, friend, that is not
the principal thing-the principal thing
is, in the first place, the nomination OF COM
petent trustworthy candidates. Another
says: ut is not worth while; the eandi-
dates have already arranged the matter;
they have long since laid the ropes, and will
have their way, whether / take parSo not"
The objection is not wholly unfounded,
and deserves more careful consideration.
Its true, that especially in counties where
party is in such preponderating major
ity, that nomination is equal to an elec-
ton, the professional office-hunters often
lay their traps years before hand, and divide
the offices among their clique, as though
they possessed the exclusive privilege, and
the people had absolutely nothing to say |
about it. 1t is true, that these importunate
office-seekers, to accomplish their objects, |
avail themselves of means which every |
man of self-respect disdains, and that, con-
they have greatly the advantage.
1t is true, that often disgusted with the low
devices and resorts of the impudent Office
hunters and their satellites the best and
most capable citizens withdraw from the
candidacy for Office and leave the field to
the professionals-thati in many places, it
has gone so far that man of character must
decline to offer for public office, if he does
not wish to lose his self-respect. a
All this is true, but still the responsibility
rests on the people. In their hands it lies
% correct the evil and to bring about
thorough reform. 1t needs only to will,
md the thing is accomplished. When the
7oters of district give all concerned only
,nce thoroughly to understand that no one
,an receive nomination who has violent
v pushed himself forward, no one who
ieeks to reach his object through low arti
ices or undue means and influences, and
hat they are firmly resolved not to nomi-
late such as seek the Office, but such as the |
,fice seeks, then will the state of thugs be
quickly altered. Citizens! your own inter
sts compel you to bring about such a re-
orm, for if you elect unworthy or inca
,able officers, and, in consequence, your al
airs are dishonesty and loosely admiuis-
cred, the damage is yours, and you have
o pay the reckoning. There is, properly
no unimportant office; each, even
he least, is of consequence, and brings
With it its duties and responsibilities-oth-
.rwise, it were superhuous piece Of turni-
,ure, and should instantly be abolished.
As a machine will work well only when
wen the smallest peg is in its place and
performs its functions, SO should also every
,ffice, and even the least, be administered
" competent, reliable man, because 9TH
,rwise the whole community suffer there
,y. 1t is therefore the duty and the inter-
st of the citizens, even in the nomination
II candidates for so-called unimportant Of
Ices, to be circumspect. And nobody
hould, under any pretense, excuse himself
rom the duty of participating in the nomi-
nations.
1t lies in the interest of the PARTIES
themselves, to promote this reform. If they
10 not they will suffer the consequences
When party succeeds in electing notori-
,usly unfit, worthless, ordishonorable can
Iidate, this Is no advantage, but positive
lsadvantage to it. for it has to bear the re-
and often it would have been
,etter If, with such candidate, it had met
lefeat. When party pursues the perverse
,lan of passing by the best men. because
hey have not pushed themselves forward, |
md puts forward instead of them profess
ional oflce-seekers, unfit, dishonorable, or
oose subjects, as candidates, things may go
IN so for while, but not forever. Before
ono. 4hn r,nnnla will tnrn their hacka nnnn