The Portland daily press., 1874-05-28
Planting Time,
May %, 1874

Planting Time.
Long ago, before the snow was off the
ground and the people in the back towns had
been consulted, it was currently reported that
so-and-so were certain of the support of such
and such towns-in fact so many delegates
had been promised and success thereby made
certain. In Maine, our political seasons near
ly correspond with those of the agriculturist,
consequently it is rather hazardous in March
to predict the yield of corn that yet awaits
the opening of spring to be planted. Indeed,
when corn is well up, there are so many con-
tingencies that it isn't wise TO count your
harvest We are not called upon to make an
application OF these old observations to politi-
ical seed-droppers, but predict that there are
quite number ofgentlemen now quite conf
dent of legislative and other honors next
year who would do well to heed them.
We make the above suggestion for the
benefit of whomsoever it may concern; but
in the same general connection, it may be
well to state a few facts, which are, we think,
apparent to all who have observed the signs
of the times.
For many years the political issues have
been of SO grave character that frequently,
not to say very often, the character of candi-
dates has been overlooked, or, in other
words, it has come about that in the genera
support of principles we have frequently for
gotten the character of the candidate Dur
ing the war and since that time, parties have
to great extent been satisfied with their
servants SO long as they voted for the meas
ures they themselves endorsed, taking little
or no interest in the sort of man they were
confiding the interests of the country to- 1t is
this fact that accounts for the agents of the
Credit Mobilier in Congress ard to the same
cause may be attributed the joboery which
has disgraced the legislatures of so many
states. In two many cases while the people
have had their attention engrossed by the
great events that have taken place in this
country the past decade, camp-followers have
seen their opportunity, have secured leader
ship, and, caring nothing for honor, strangers
to principle, intent on plumber alone, have
brought disgrace to the country. Fortunate
ly for Maine, her reputation has suffered lit
tie or none by unworthy leadership or I'M
faithful men elevated to positions of honor.
True, partisan journals have raised the cry
OF corruption in the heat of campaigns and
unfortunately sandered good and bad, but
the people have so long regarded this dis
gushing practice as political trick that they
now pay no more heed to it than to the raw
ings of an insane man; and this same prac-
tice of the indiscriminate abuse of candidates
good and bad, has had tendency to shield
bad men from the punishment they deserve
since no more denunciation is bestowed upon
them than is unjustly heaped upon the up
right.
But the absorbing questions of the past are
settled and the country has had glimpse of
the bad work that has been done while the
people were intent on other matters. Be
sides, the questions now pending and likely
to come before national ard state legislatures,
men to deal with them. Immense and nu-
merous schemes of bribery and corruption
are already considered and organized, and
their shrewd managers only await the pres
ence of venal Congress to make them laws.
Look, for instance, at the schemes Swallowed
forth by Senator WINDOWS transportation
committee; at Tom Scotts Southern Pacific
and the other-the Northern Pacific job;
call to mind the cotton tax of sixty millions
which now awaits weak Congress to be
pressed by the spectators that have bought
it. All these and score of others furnish
the amplest reasons why the greatest care
should be exercised in the selection of con-
gressmen. And what is true Of congressman,
holds equally true of state legislators. In
our own as well as in every state, railroad
and other legislation requires the selection of
honest and intelligent men such as are not
likely to be secured by any system of packed
caucuses, nor are likely to be found
among that class of busy politicians who en-
ploy the Shiny arts of the demagogue. The
people have generally outgrown the old sys-
tenn and the party which fails to recognize
the fact will be made to do so when the votes
are counted.
In view Of the change that is taking place
in public opinion as to the personal charac-
ter of public officers, if for no higher motive,
those who claim to be leaders in the Repub-
hcan party should be careful to make NOM
nations that are above reproach. 1t is no
time to bring forward men whose names are
lnseparably connected with dishonest trans
actionsIand immoral conduct, no time for the
tricky, double dealing, now-you-see-it-and-
now-you-don't fellow-for there is a growing
Keeling that sleight of hand performances be-
s Ung exclusively to travelling shows-no time
i Lor Inc man whose reputation is always fol-
io ,Sssio by an interrogation point whether in
pubic or private life.
bear in mind w." Will '' "eN "