The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-09
.ro THE yICrORs BELONG THE
SPOILS."


gro THE TICIoRs EELoNG THE
A few weeks since we spoke OF the need
Of politicians To direct and manage pollti-
cal affairs. Our first thcorem, which re-
ally was an axiom, was, that the success
of principles required the support of
combination Of men who should consti-
tutc majority, and this combination we
STYLED party. Since, then, we must have
party" to secure victory, II follows that
we must manage the affairs Of that party
lust rs wise man manages his business
affairs. In that management he selects
that man who knows most of the business
he is to manage, and because he has ut his
disposal master blacksmith who excels
in his branch Of industry, however upright
and honest he may be, he does not select
him To control his cotton factory, nor will
he recommend the cordwainer or tallow-
chandler rs his medical attendants. Ii is
fashionable to indiscriminately lay all dis
asters or bad nominations TO the work of
politicians, and the desire is often express
ed to get rid of that class Of men and take
up some one who has never mingled in
the political world. for the sake of pure
administration. BY and by they find they
have but repeated the story of the frogs
who desired another king. For. suppos-
inc that there are one hundred admins
trative offices in this State. and you put in
them one hundred clergymen for the sake
Of 'pure OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sue
cess is certain. for then you have made |
sure that the State will be run by clique!
System in execution is absolutely neces-
sary for success, and the rewards of labor
must be discriminatory bestowed. In
many instances il is fashionable to cry out
that the whole trouble in politics comes of
that bancful rule laid down by Andrew
jackson, that to the victors belong the
spoils. When YOU hear u person arguing
from that standpoint. you may write him
down for just what he is worth-a hyPo-
critic in politics, or one whose picty far
exceeds his intelligence. That political
axiom of Jackson is but another phrase
of expressing the truth that those who III
bor for. and secure success, arc entitled tn
enjoy the fruits Of that success, and when
the rule is ignored decentralization in the
ranks and defeat justly cnsuc.
There are hundreds and thousands of
voters who nobly rejoice mt their party
Successes. anil who earnestly pray for that
result, who have not the rcmotcst idea of
the labor necessary to bring about that re
suit, or the manner in which 1t was Sccur-
cd. Good easy souls they imagine that
victory forced us TO allow itself to perch
upon our banners. and that all those who
loved our principles voluntarily and spon-
taneously rallied to their support. They
have heard of money being used in cleo
ton. which seems To them to be nothing
but bribery. and they set their faces against
il. Let us look Mt some of the necessary
uses of money in our elections:
To say nothing Of the unpaid labor. the
election In this State cannot be encrgeti-
cally accomplished without costing some
body in cash $4,000. This item of eN-
pense consists in providing speakers; some
(thc most notetD require 800 for each APP
pointmcnt and expenses. Generally, how
ever, $50 is the extent. Associated with
this are the printing bills. AS another
large item Of expense we may reckon the
getting home of absent voters. This will
average for the ordinary sized towns at
least $50, while in this city we never find
il cost us less than $500 whenever we Sc
cure our absent voters. The simple cost
for ballots in this county each year, is $40,
and while the expenses named are the
principal ones, they by no means express
all the items. At our great mass meeting
in 1864 we raised in Saco and Biddeford
$500 for cash expenses, which was found
not to be enough by $50, and u supple
mental subscription was had, notwithstand-
ing the State Committee paid the expenses
Of the speakers.
a small portion of this money comes
from those holding lucrative offices. say
$4,000; the remainder is the voluntary sub
scription OF men who discharge thereby a
necessary. honorable and patriotic duty,
with no other motive than to secure the
success of patriotic principles. Remcm-
bcr we have said nothing about the labor
essential to an election, which is mOrc than
the money and an item which all the gold
Of California cannot buy.
Now what are You going to do when
two men equally qualified present them
selves to You for assistance To Office. one Of
whom has simply voted rs nine-,,u,hs Of
any party do, while the other has contrib.
utcd freely in time. labor and money! II
you have any doubts as to what you oush,
to do in the case, make up your little mind
that You are too good for this world ant
can do II no such good service rs by leav
ing Il. Or. take another view Of the sub
ject: Here are offices to be filed within
the gift Of the government. employment