Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-07-25
KNAyES AND FOOLS.

The Virginia Enterprise publishes an
article entitled "a Personal talk for the
ear OF the Public" The object of the
Enterprise is apparently to pursuade the
public that it must choose either knaye
or fool for its representative. Speak
ing o. the late California Legislature, it
says:
Would they elect new and pure Leg
islature? California tried that, SO far as
her Assembly was concerned, last year
and that Assembly, when convened,
proved to be a most motley crowd Of
mingled asses and knsves that ever
assembled even in California. And it
was natural enough. Nothing was re-
guired of them except to know they were
hostile to the Central Pacific Railroad.
Is it strange that when they convened
they showed. before a week, that they
knew nothing of the main subject on
which they were elected, and little of
anything else; and California in sur
prise discovered that while knaves are
bad men, to swap them off for fools is a
doubtful expedient.
This kind of reasoning will not do.
The people at large, either of this or any
other State, are not merely knaves or
fools. The mass of the people, of all
grades of the social scale, are neither one
or the other. This being the case, it
does seem a very singular style of argu-
inent, that because present or former
legislatures are or have been knaves.
that their places cannot be supplied with
able and honest men. The real trouble
is, that the conduct of public affairs has
bsen engrossed by professional polite
ians whom the mass of the people have
too long allowed to have their own way.
That way was OF course the mode by
which they could make the most profit,
regardless of all other considerations.
Under their management the most mon
s.rous abuses have been brought into ex-
istance, and obtained such huge proper
tons, that their originators have be-
come insoent and defiant, and snarl an
angry grow when the attempt is made
to drive them from their prey. If there
is one opinion which is unanimous
and finds general expression through.
out the country, it is that the
administration of public affairs and the
legislation which controls it, have be-
come corrupt and untrustworthy to such
an extent, that it is time that those who
have brought about such i'll results
should be compelled to resign their posi-
tions to ADLER and purer hands. 1t mat
tiers little what particular name they
may choose to adopt. or what party they
belong to, if the indispensable qualities
OF ability, honesty and patriotism are
possessed and form their guides. This
feeling is becoming very general, and is
extending daily The people at large are
realizing their error, that they have per-
mitted mere politicians too long to have
their way. The publ is now paying
more and more attention to public bust
ness; each day brings its proof of how
necessary is the check of vigilant and
careful watchfulness. This has long
been pointed out by the non-partizan
press, as prime factor of honest and
equitable government, the truth of which
has been established by bitter and
shameful experience. This being the
situation, it is absurd to say that knave-
ry must continue to be the chief con-
stituent OF Legislatures because it can
only be substituted by folly The knaves
and their vicious legislation can and
will be supplanted by men of ability,
who are also honest, who can and will
amend the laws by wise and useful alter
atoms. The politicians must not for q
moment delude themselves with tht
purerile notion, that they engross all, tn.
ability and knowledge in the country
AS class, they are as low i'll the scale O.
natural abilities and useful requirement.
as they are in that OF morals
They may and are invested will
an INSCRIPTIONS, callous. conscienceles
cunning that enables them to make fai
promises, which they never dream c
keeping, to cajole better men than then
selves, to manipulate primaries, to pac
conventions, to lobby thieving bill
They can do all those things, with a de,
terity that we should be sorry to see an
good man attempt to rival. But whe
they are called upon to perform th
graver duties of their positions, to oril
mate wise and wholesome legislation, I
pilot the ship of State through Danger
difficulties and calamities, they al
helpless as children. They have Meth.
the power to comprehend ii
situation, nor the wisdom to plan d
liverance. 1t is then that the class,
that they effect to despise show the
strength and power. who, thrustir
the vicious and incapable asid
assert their true position, and, guide
by the principles of honor and patrio
ism, soon find remedies that their d
PRAYED predecessors could never ha,
conceived. For these reasons, then, "
think the position Of the Enterpris
that knaves cannot be driven out, b.
cause they can only be substituted
fools, is statement as discreditable
its authors as it is untrue in fact.