Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-11-25

OS tuC iuCtS ttlstl NO "es' "A "N''N
candidate for reelection, that his
emissaries were busy in all parts
of the State in fixing" Legislative
nominations for his benefit, and
that the system of politics Of which
he was the embodiment had become
grossly obnoxious to great num-
bers of sincere and thoughtful
Republicans. The adverse results
in so many Senatorial and Repre-
sentative districts, in which our
supremacy had before been un-
questioned, and the voluntary
statements already made by some
of the defeated candidates as to
the chief causes of their rejection
rs well as all the general indica-
tons, thoroughly sustain these
statements. In fact they will not be
questioned by any careful and
well-informed observer Of political
affairs in MICHIGAN.
Nor is the existence of vigor-
Gus anti-Chandler Republican sem
timent strange or unatural. We
leave the personal argument las to
the character of his ability, his
double reelection already, the ma
ture of his habits, etc) wholly ont
of the question, for the position
we take now in this matter need
not be based on such considera-
tons. Mr.. Chandler personilies en-
utterly indefensible system of po-
litical management. For years
he has labored assiduously and
shrewdly to make the Republican
organization in Michigan an engine
for the accomplishment of his per-
sonal ends. He has filed the Fed
eral Offices with his active and de-
voted retainers, bound to him by
selfish ties; he has dictated nomi-
nations for elective positions by
the manipulation of primaries
through his agents; he has pro-
scrihed public men who have been
found not to be plant to his will
he has used his patronage to bar
gain for the support of local politi-
clans whom he could make useful;
and he has assumed to set up fidel-
ity to himself as the standard of
Republican orthodox. AS result
Mr.. Chandler has identified himself
with that utterly demoralizing style
of politics which makes "the spoils"
its chief weapon, which debauches
the independence and integrity of
men in position, which paralyzes
the will of the individual voter,
and which insidiously substitutes q
tyranical and proscriptive regency
for freedom of party action. At
Washicscc:c2 his influence is natuy'
ally exerted in favor Of that gene
J raj system Of administration Of all
the States, which he manages to
: make so useful in his own, and he
: is the consistent enemy OF those
{ reforms which might lessen the
t power of patronage" as sena
D torial tool, or weaken the potency
q of the means by which managers
e now manipulate primaries and con
b trolc conventions. In brief, he i
d prominent among those Republi
&c can "leaders" whose conspiciou
readiness for the INSCRIPTIONS us
of debasing political machiner
for their own ends is allenatin
" from the party the good will of il
Of best class of voters, and who, froi
% this fact, are responsible in n
d small degree for our recent aston
t. ishing reverse.
es Mr.. Chandler in his long caret
st as skilfull politician, has nevt
MS planned a personal canvas MOI
ne perfectly than the present on
tie The important Federal office-holc
nd ers in Michigan arc almost witho,
ng exception his men. In every leac
~ ing Republican legislative distri
tb strenuous efforts were made
nd them and others to prevent I'll
sr- nomination Of any candidates WI
in could not be relied upon for hin
OF In some instances gentlemen
he ability and of unsupported RepuI
IN licanism were remoresly slaughte
err ed in defiance of party usage ar
ne without the slightest justificatio
ost With an ordinary result his +
'ur election would have been secur,
ent by this work beyond peradventur
OF But his state was sadly smash,
lis in the wreck of the 3D., and an u
ice expected opportunity for his defe
Ills was presented. The strength
nd parties in the next Legislature
'ur so even, that half-a-dozen Repub