Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-20
A ROTTEN PLANK In THE PLAT.
FORM.

The Indiana farmers convention
adopted, among others. the following
resolution: That we are opposed to
electing any man to ELL the same office,
more than for one term in succession,
from President down" We endorse
the resolution, so far as it relates to
the Presidency, because an ambitious
executive, with the prestige and pa
tronage pertaining to the Office, can Sc
cure his reelection, and to Go so, will
devote himself to seeking popularity,
rather than the interests of the great
body of the people. But, to apply the
rule to all Offices Unfortunately,
smaeks more Of factious discomfort,
than of practical craftsmanship. Were
it true that all men are, by nature, en-
dowed with equal capacity to discharge
the duties Of all responsible Offices, or
that they are even so fitted by such ed
ncation as they may have received,
then il would matter little who might
be elected, since it would be impossi-
bic to promote the wrong man. But
this is not the case, and since even the
humblestoffice can best be filled by one
who has learned its duties by expert
ence, there must be more or less loss
resulting from the election of the
trained officer, and the induction Of
one wholely inexperienced. That loss
may be only of system, so essential to
the dispatch of business, or it may
be from mistakes growing out of ig-
norance, or criminal neglect-in either
case, detrimental to those for whose
benefit the Office was created.
Who would send his watch to be re-
paired by man who never saw the in
side of one? Who would employ a
self-styled doctor who never read even
as far as castor oil-or select for a
.indge. the man who never read law
book? Yet a convention of farmers,
who would do neither of the foolish
things, just mentioned, gravely declare
that Offices, upon the proper admins
tration of which. may depend the life,
liberty, or property of the citizen, can
be filed as well by the novice, as by
the trained official
Good government is the result Of
good officers, and the best interests
of the entire public, will be best pro-
NOTED by retaining in Office, the man
who faithfully and efficiently fills it
The mischievous doctrine of rotation
In Office. is one of the fatal legacie,
bequeathed us by the time honored
Democracy, and was originally intend
ed as a bride to stimulate the party
zeal of hungry expectants of Office
each believing it would be his turn
next. The Consequence of this unwise
doctrine, is general thirst for Office
and a multiplication of candidates.
annoying TO the voters, demoraliziDe
to a painful extent and seriously
detrimental to the industry of tn
country. The people have n
higher interest than the faithful ad-
ministration of the Offices established
for their benefit, and to turn out an eff
ficient incumbent for the sake of rota
ton, is Il folly for which they deserE,
to suffer. Were it not for the eager
ness to get office growing out of thi'
mistaken policy, many would be useful
and valued citizens, who throw away
time, character and zeal in anxiou
waiting for something to turn up.
Elections are the curse of the country
and the farmers will evince more wis
dom by trying to lessen the number
and placing them farther apart.