Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-04-28
THE APPROACHING ELECTION

ry them, military despotism will be
substituted for our present form of
government, and liberty and personal
freedom for ,chite and black will be cx-
changed for mental slavery, and the
FREEMEN of all North America be-
come as abjoctly the slaves OF the rul-
ers as the people of Austria, or as the
late negro slaves were the chattcls of
their masters. We arc no alarmist--
Just look around and see what has
happened at our National Capitol and
in some of the southern States, recent
ly. This IL not all Questions of n
more local character arc of equal i'm
portancc The election OF Govern
or and State Treasurer occurs in No
vemberi but ns these candidates are
to be selected from large number of
worthy and competent gentlemen by
the State Convention which assem-
bles at Erie in September, we shall
pass the subject by and come home to
our county affairs.
The new Constitution has wrought
a radical change in the election of
County Treasurer, Commissioners and
Auditors. Heretofore the Treasurer
was elected for two years, hereafter
he will be elected for three years.
Formerly we elected Commissioner
and an Auditor every year, who held
his Office for three years; now we
must elect tho whole three at once
While there are TIREE-each Of
these latter officers TO be elected in
November--no clector can vote for
more than TWO candidates, and the
three highest in votes shall be declared
elected. This will result in giving the
Democrats two Commissioners and
two Auditors, and the Republicans
one each.
Now, what is before us under this
new system2 Unless some OF thcpres-
ent incumbents or their predecessors
are elected this fall, tie first Monday Of
January merit irW demonstrate the fact
that seren men ,cW enter the Court Hsase,
and tale charge of the affairs and books
in the TredswGs, Commissioners and
auditors offices, ioho may nerer hare been
inside Of these rooms, much less hare
transacted any public business hereia.--
This question should be well consider
ed 1t is not party question and
will effect all alike, Take business
view of it, reader and how doesit strike
you?
Is the change an Improvement in
any sense, except in partisan fea-
ture? We think not While the
mere partisan has gained his point,
what business interest has received
attention at the hands of those who
have wrought the changer What
business man who employs seven or
more men would make it rule
to turn off all his hands every three
years and run the risk OF getting 9th
ers to take their places, who knew
nothing about his business?
Again Our party friends in cast
ing about for candidates for office,
should never make up their minds to
support any particular one until they
are satisfied that the man they are
"going for is the embodiment of three
essential characteristics honesty, com
potency and personal popularity-not
because he is q clever fellow, only. If
a candidate possess these necessary
qualifications there should be no hesi-
tation on the part of the individual to
support him. We have plenty of such
men in our party ranks, and it is folly
to jeopardize our success by trying to
nominate any other.
A candidate lacking either Of these
characteristics is n burthcn upon the
party instead of support if unfortu-
nately charged with lacking all, if nom
mated by accident, will suffer defeat
and demoralizc the party, for which he
can never fully atone, no difference
how jealous he may become. There
are, Of course, other qualifications
worthy of consideration-such as par
ty service and location--but these af-
ter all are rather OF personal than a
party character, and need not be close
ly adhered to,
The voter who seeks the welfare OF
his country and the success of his par
ty, will look around for candidate
who possesses all the requisite qualii-
cations to success-honest, competent
popular and entitled to party support
for past services, There is no use in
"gaddiDg about after men who lack
most of the qualities Indicated, because
we have drones enough to carry and
support without breeding or manuhc.
turing them according to order" and
thus supply the enemy with ammuni
ton at our expense. This in wal
times would be pronounced treason
and it would be polite to refrain from
an act of this kind oven in tim,
of peace, when there is no enemy
about.
We have thrown out these genera
hints for the general good, and in oul
Judgment, if followed up, by our party
friends can work no harm TO any one
and if accepted and acted upon viii
go far toward defeating the enemy in
his violent attacks upon our nominees
and avoid much of the bitterness ant
personalities cngendcrcd during th,
, canvass.
The QUESTION SETTLED The Radi
cal bandits who had made an ar
rangement by which the election o
the next President was TO be thrown
L. 4. -. IL L, L.