, 1873-06-12
PoLIT1cs.-The San Francisco Pest,


an able as well as sprightly conserya-
tive paper. makes the following sensible
and practical suggestions:
"There are many citizens who never
take an active interest in politics, and
yet growl like bears when bad men are
nominated and elected to Office. Do
they never think how far they are re-
| spon n-ibla for this sort of thing? As
citizens it is their dnty to participate in
| political movements, and earnestly en-
deavor to secrre good men for public
servants. If they will not do it but pre-
fer to stand back and let others run the
machine, then common decency demands
silence on their part. An important
| election is now approaching, md we
hope to see these chronic GROWERS turn
out and actively participate. If they
vii but do this. and their honest efforts
for the public good should prove abor-
tive, they will then have right to
complain, but not otherwise There is
no reason why the worst elements in
politics should control everything The
truth is, that neither their numbers nor
their money can avail against the deter
mined opposition Of respectable citizens,
providing the latter go to work in good
earnest. We don't mean those alone
who are wealthy, educated and in high
social position; but the laborer. mechan-
ic, tradesman, and all others. who are
useful members of the community. The
power is in their own hands. They can
control both political parties and secure
the nomination of honest and capable
men. surely there is enough at stake
20 arouse every citizen to sense Of du-
ty."
We have had in this county practi-
cal demonstration OF the truth OF these
propositions. When we coalmencet,
the publication Of this paper, there was
a general complaint throughout the
community OF the mismanageinent Of
public affairs, and few, If any. had any
hope Of immediate reform, from the
fact that the Office holders formed ring
by which they could control the prima-
ries and through them the nominating
conventions. and thus secure the nomi-
nations Of the dominant purity, which
party discipline forced the people to ac-
cept under the penalty OF being denoun-
| ced us traitors and mallened as - sole
heads" and factionlsts. This State OF
things was bound to continue until the
corruption OF calct and the tyranny OF
party WAS overthrown. putting aside
| party, we llauSurated Il c. usade against
| official abuses, and Ill tue language OF
| Mr. Benton We may eXclalm: " Solitary
and alone l Put this bail i'll motion,
| AMID the taunts and jeers Of the enemy.
cew. II an' +, aaions, Lose WHO most ear
.iestls de. .ed the success OF tue move
ment had any coniid ence III Its consum-
nation. But the Keynote beIng Souna-
ed, IL touched d popular chord ana met
alth IL ready response from majority
OF the people. Ine result was the utter
route and ,compiete overthrow OF The
com mb.natIou which conhd ntly believed
1t neld Il perpetual lease OF the county
oillccs, inc.uuino d lieu upon LIS hnahces
limited only by III II own discretion,
and there Is not tod y III American a
municipality where Official rings siauu
less chance tor success, or where the
| professional poiitciun could lind ii
poorer field for plying his vocation with
any reasonable hope OF success. We
hope other communities may profls by
our experience.