The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-09-13

among classes that learn only too quickly
the WAYS Of official thrift, if scandalous
and immoralitcs had not
sprung up in the public service, at first dc
MED, next connived at,and afterwards con-
doncd under the pressure of impending
elections" We all know tins to be true,
because we have all seen and know instan-
ces thereof. One party, or Il party con-
tanning the great mass of the voters OPP
posed only by feeble organization, is the
ono that is in danger from these cor
ruptions. Why? Because a nomination is
equivalent to an election. Once obtained,
no matter by what means, no matter how
incompetent or dishonest the man, his
election is assured, because appeal is made |
to party fcalty, and honest men, under the |
stress OF circumstances and lack OF moral |
courage. walk up to the ballot box and |
deposits dishonest votes.
What then is party: What is the OBJ
icct OF party organizations In rcpub-
lican, democratic country, the people rule,
or are supposed to rule. All cannot, as we
have said, think alike, act alike %: vote
alike. The very idea of the words "politi-
cal question or political principles,
suggest that there are two sides TO the mat
ter. There can hardly be a matter upon
which two views cannot be taken, and
honestly taken. We except, of course,
! those great truths. which are received and
| acknowledged as truths or aNipms every
where. Take the question of protective
! tariff, and there arc two views in which il
! can be considered. having the good of the
| whole country solely in view. So was il
/ in the reconstruction measures there were
different plans proposed, all seeking, sub
stantially the same end. but differing upon
the means of its accomplishment. So it has
been upon all questions, and SO il will con
tinuc to he as long as there is government
of the people by the people and for the
people. Men therefore, band themselves
together in political parties for the purpose
of accomplishing certain results, and thus
these parties come into existence. If the
question is Il national one. il is important
for each party that the administration and
the national legislature should be composed
of men who represent and reflect their
views. Herein lies the whole trouble. 1t
was deemed absolutely necessary. by the
wings in 1910, for instance, that the adj
muistration and Congress should be such
as would carry out their policy, and the
democrats, of course, took the same view
as to the policy advocated by them. The
question, also, necessarily entered more OF
less, into state elections as distinguished
: from the presidential election because tho
choice of an United States Senator might
be dependent thereon. Herein. and to this
extent. ii might be claimed, with somt
show of plausibility, that every voter
should be loyal to the party, and, regardless
of personal considerations, walk up to tho
ballot box and vote for the nominee of til,
party. We cannot, however, 70 even t
this extent. We do not believe that
: voter has the moral or, in Vermont. tn
/ legal right to stultify and dishonor himsel
II by voting for candidate whom he know
e or thinks to be disqualified by reason o
. ignorance, incompetency or dishonesty
Unfortunately, however, this demand 70
= fcalty and loyalty to party does not stol
here Is ramificatiOns extend all alon
10 down through national and state politics
l. until it makes its appearance in county
,r town, village and even school district al
fairs. Everything being equal, we are wi
:. ling, for the sake of the argument to COZ
cede that it were better for voter to SUI
:, tain and vote for nominee of his ow
49, party, rather than of the opposition lIei
6 in New England, towns, measurably, so
80 ern themselves, subject, Of course. to n
tonal and state authority. We elect tow
officers to manage town affairs. The tow
90 election is approaching, we will say. and
=, is the duty of every good citizens il moi
to see to it that only such officers sha
", , be elected as will manage our local affai
> honorably, honestly and economical
We think that no one will question IL
propOsiton. Such is the boundcn duty
every good citizen and honest man. Eve
W. town has, we presume, Il committee n
~ pointed for the purpose of calling caucus
~ to nominate town officers, as well a. t
Nv other purposes. Surprising that such
~ committee, in Rutland, should call a d
III tinctive party caucus for such a purpose
u as they have the unGoubted right to do
w what is our duty as a republican and go
''' citizen? Clearly, it is to attend that ca
" ruc and In nur utnost "a epcurp tho nor
nation of honest, competent men. We
~ tend that meeting, but. in spite of the {
:, dcav0rs of the best citizens, men
~ placed in nomination, who are ignorant
.,1 and incompetent to, perform the duties
,, the Office others are endorsed for otl
Io5 places of trust and responsibility, W
a., have sought position for personal ends, Il
ALA are known to be dishonest and CORR
,,,a in such cases, and they frequently occ
,a are we bound, in honor, 10 support q
:. - vote for these men? II seems To us {
Inc. there can he only one side to this questi
vino and that is fixed beyond doubt by the o
ire which every freeman taxes. VIII not
rod honest, incorruptible dcmocra, make Il !
mn ter selectman, treasurer collector, G
,ro- than dishonest republican: What matt
cx. the private political opinions of a cour
town or village officer so long as he is h
est and capable; Yet General Blu
would establish the rule that honest i
should not try to make suitable nom
aa TONS unless, forsooth, they will pie
... themselves to support dishonest men,
L. L LII