The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-06-29
Politics as a Business.

Two of the most conspicuous and useful of
the Massachusetts delegation in Congress
decline a reelection, Messrs. Dawes and G.
F. hoar If Mr.. Hale accepts the portfolio
of the Postmaster General, New England
loses another experienced and thoroughly
trusted Congressman. Mr.. Beck of Ken
lucky, one of the ablest and best of the Dem
ocrat.c members, declines reelection.
Other members of the present House who
have had experience and are trusted, will de-
cline another election. There are small men
enough n Congress who can be spared by
the score. Indeed, with a few exceptions,
the country conld well afford to pay hand
some sum to be rid of the entire Southern
delegation. The treasury is absolutely in
danger so long as they have votes. With
few exceptions they are cheap, selfish, tricky
fellows of small ability and considerable cum
ming, who naturally follow such men as Gen.
Butler or any other leader who can make a
successful raid upon the treasury. Conse-
quently, every intelligent man depIores the
loss of such men as Dawes, Hale, Hoar,
Woodford and Beck from Congress as a ma
tional misfortune if not public calamity.
1t may be objected that this is PROPOSE.
ton for these men to make public life bus
mess and TO establish the theory that when
man has once been representative or sena-
tor, he should be continued in that position.
BY no means; on the contrary we would take
the other view.
Fifty years may elapse before Mass achu-
sets will have in the national House a MEM
Der of Mr.. Dawes experience and aptitude
for public business. In the meantime a score
OF nonentities, without ability, or character
or influence, will occupy the seat he vacates
Indeed, the district will be most fortu-
nate it some small, scheming politician does
not get the seat to disgrace it. Politics as a
business, as life caling,is dignifed pursuit
when men of commanding ability, of gener-
e GUS culture and character engage in it, In
deed, the men who have given us our nation.
al repute in the past, the Jeffersons, Adamses
Clays, Websters, Stewards, Summers are men
who have devoted their lives to public and
particularly to congressional service. They
had the ability to dignity politics as pursuit.
What renders politics as business disrep-
utable is the fact that large number of men
of the meanest ability, without conscience.
incapable of generous aspirations or high
aims, have left occupations for which they
were fitted and set up in politics as life
business. They have noted the advancement
of others; and, without recognizing the gulf
that separates them from those who have
been successful. they aim high; and to accom-
plsh their purpose leave nothing undone,
that effrontery, scheming, doube-dealing.
lying and low cunning can acc omplsn or
can be supposed to accomplish. They spend
their time in urging people to support them;
they make the most profuse promises to do
impossible things; they take all sides of all
questions; they stab the reputation of their
their opponents in the same kind of cow
ardice and for no more worthy purpose than
that which leads the highwayman to put
bullet through the head of a traveller Trick
sters in order to win position, they are the
confederates of lobbyists and thieves in the
halls OF legislation and are only kept in cheek
by wholesome fear Of the people.
We imagine from what we see and hear
that the intelligence of the country has about
concluded that it has had enough of this race
OF political hucksters who set up in politics
as business without capital. The nation
will not at once get clear of this race, for it
takes time to work reforms, bat there is reas
son to believe from the indications of the hour,
that the time is not so very distant when the
people will take into their own hands the
setting up of men in the politics business, 4
and then none but those who have displayed
ability, fitness and culture, will be called.