The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-16
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1868.
Partizanship.

course of public policy their rulers should
pursue, so long will parties continue to exist.
There seems to be but two conditions which
effeotually rid any country Of these parties;
namely, on the one hand, condition of uni
versal idioOy and, on the other, an absolute
despotism.
It ia only natural for thirty millions of edu-
Gated, thinking people to differ widely among
themselves as to what lines of public policy
should be pursued; and, honestly holding
these differences, to form themselves into par
ties for the purpose of promoting the success
of their particular views. We thiuk, there
fore, that the lamentations which are so COM
monty made over the existence Of parties are
idle, because, from our view Of the case, their
existence is inevitable. II restrained within
proper limits we not only see no harm in
man becoming an earnest partisan, but in
truth we see much to commend in such a
course. If we are thoroughly convinced that
certain views are right and proper we only
aot according to our manhood and convictions
in doing all in our power to make these views
become general. Partisauship, therefore, within
proper limits is praiseworthy.
But we occasionally, nay, we must say fre-
uuently, see 1t carried to such an excess as to
disgrace all those who indulge in it. 1t is
frequently made the ruling passion. All pa
triotic love of the whole country as such is an
eager desire to promote the public good, but
reckless ofthe evil which may result to the COM
munity, party will act only to make itself
popular, or worse still, only to prevent its
opponents becoming popular, and let the
great mass of the people take care of them
selves. Such course as this, il pursued by
an irresponsible and ignorant mob would be
reprehensible enough, but when it is adopted
as the deliberate rule of action of the official
representatives of portion of the people, it
becomes criminal. We have a striking in
stance Of the worst species of partisauship in
the action of the Democratic members of Ss-
lect and Common Councils on the water pipe
question last week. The city is in many places
extremely in need of additional water sup.
plies. In many portions, except for few
hours, it cannot be secured in any of the
upper stories of the houses. Not only is the
quantity needed to be increased, but the
quality is frequently SO vile as to be positively
poisonous. At this time of year it is most
emphatioally necessary that the reform so long
called for should be instantaneously com
menoed. With the understanding and with
the unanimous recognition of the citizens of
all Glasses, that such an appropriation as
would make the needed extension would bs
proper, the Council agreed to come to final
vote on an additional appropriation of $2,OOO,-
900. The last opportunity for its passage
arrived, and Common Council adopted it by
the necessary two-thirds. In Select Council,
however, the Democrats, with the single hon
orable exception OF Colonel James Page, voted
against suspending the rules, and by lacking
one vote the ordinance fell through. Now, what
was the only declared ground for opposition
to the bill which was universally recognized
as necessary and proper for the comfort and
health of the city We blush for the name
of Americans when we are compelled to tell it.
The only ground whatever for this action was,
that the Republican party would have the
distribution of the patronage; that the few
hundred workmen necessary in the extension
of the works, would be appointed by the
Republican officials; that few votes might
thus be influenced, or little prestige given to
their political opponents. For such reasons
these men are willing to let the people of the
city be injured. Yet this is called Supporting
your party" and men do not stand aghast at
the horrid enormity of this crime.
We would have the representatives of the
people aot only in accordance with the best
interests OF tue people, or, if that cannot be,
we would have them at least not sacrifice pub
lie good to partisan ends when the two come
in conflict. To Colonel Page should be ten
dered the warmest praise and thanks OF the
oommunity-not for doing his duty, but for
having the nerve to openly rebuke his fellow
Democrats in this vicious crime. We would
that such instances of sacrificing public benefit
to party were either few or restricted entirely
to the Democratic party. We have had often in
our city instances of the reckless disregard to
all the laws of right in the actions OF Councils,
There is an old trick, and one in which both
parties have We'd with each other in exoelling
in, that of lowering the tax rate in order to
secure popularity. 1t has frequently hap
pened that when the assessments coma To be
made, the dominant party instead of meeting
the demands of the city, and acting with
honor, assess at an insufficient rate, and then
make up the deficiency after the election.
This Is paltry trickery, unworthy of public
servants, and dishonest to the people who