The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-02


iaOorers are paid reduced wages?
Politics and Mineral Waters Mt tho
American Spas.
Some one of our young and ambitious
scientific men ought to turn his attention to q
question of popular as well as scientific in
terest, which has heretofore been neglected.
but which deserves attention-namelv What
is the subtle connection between mineral wa
ters and politics? Why do the half dozen
men who rule Europe meet annually at Ems
or Wiesbaden or Blden-Baden? Why do our
own politicians, both those who rule aud
those who would like to rule, congregate an
nually at Saratoga and the White Sulphur
Springs? What is the relation between Con-
gress water and public affairs Why should
democratic politicians have, for some years
alter the war, preferred sulphur to cathar-
tic spring? Is it not possible that some brill
liant scientist might immortalize himself and
benefit his country and mankind by showing
the influence of mineral waters in helping to
shape political theories and platforms? That
such discovery would be of inesimable i'm
portance we need not say. Once in posses
sion of the requisite facts, political party
could send its leader to that mineral spring
whose waters were best calculated to purify
his opinions, to eliminate corruptions from
his political body, to give him not merely just
sentiments, but courage to maintain them
and thus not on ly the hotel keepers and cab
men but also the country at large would be
benefited.
For the present it is clear that our states
men are seeking purity and righteousness in
purblind and experimental way. One year
they congregate at the White Sulphur, and
another at Saratoga and General Grant and
those republicans who follow him scorn all
the mineral springs, and go to Long Branch,
where the waters are not very good to drink.
The President evidently likes salt water better
than Vichy or Congress or Sulphur or Blue
Lick or Gettysburg, or any other of our
numerous mineral waters. Perhaps he is
right. Evidently Governor Tilden, who has
an inquiring mind, has had his suspicious in
this direction, for he has recently spent some
days at Long Branch. We should like to
know what he thinks of the effect of salt
water on political theories. For the present
the two opposing ranks of our statesmen APP
pear to range themselves, the one side at Long
Branch, the other at Saratoga, as is clearly
shown by the very interesting correspondence
we publish to-day. If any OF the minor lights
are gathered elsewhere the public attaches
little importance to the result. AS usual,
1.
ments of the outs than those of the ms. The
wisdom assembled and about to assemble at
Saratoga attracts more attention than the
wisdom which makes it's summer publication
at Long Branch.
Saratoga, indeed, carries away the palm for
variety. Awhile ago it saw al assembly of
liberal republicans with the illustrious Coch-
rane at their head Then came a convention
of bankers, who resolved that banks ought
not to be taxed. And now come Tilden,
Hendricks, Thurman and half dozen moro
to 'arrange" the Ohio campaign, SO it is
said, not TO speak of Vice President Wilson,
Mr.. Samuel Bowles and Senator Anthony. If
we do not speak of such permanent boariers
as Commodore Vanderbilt and Mr.. John
Morrissey that is not because we do not think
them men OF importance, but because they
seem to act as audience to the players. AS
for Morrissey, however, the newspaper CORE
spondents make him something more than
audience. If we could believe all they tell
us we should take it for granted that when
ever democratic statesman jumps nowadays
it is because Mr.. Norrissey has pulled the
string. If John is really the kingmaker
Kelly is surely the rashest of men to turn
him out of Tammany Hall. One comfort,
however, Morrissey undoubtedly has-he may
be nothing in Tammany, but at Saratoga he is
the cynosure of all eyes. No democratic
statesman goes there to take the waters with
out also consulting Saratoga John. Tlden is
closeted with him, Hendricks and Thurman
will take their turn when they come, and as
for the lesser lights they make the most OF q
nod from the great man, if they arc lucky
enough to get it.
These mysterious summer gatherings at the
Springs would give us more uneasiness were
it not that we remember that beside the poll
ticians there are the people, who are also
thinking, discussing and slowly making up
their minds. Political caucuses and consul
tations arc useful things, but they have little
force or Importance unless they can, after q
while, get the people to accept their results.
Everything may be lovely at Saratoga or
Long Branch, and yet when election day
comes the people may scatter and bring to
naught the best laid plans of their masters
Meantime we can only hope that sea bathing
may benefit the outside and Congress water
amellorate the Inwardness of our rulers as
much rs they desire.
The ColOrcd Vote in North Carolina.
In second letter OH the condition of North
Carolina, which we print this morning. Mr..