Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-04-17
DON'T PLEDGE.

In addition TO the interest which she
State contest viii naturally awaken, she
voters Of this county will find 3 matter of
local attention in the election CT county
officers. A full county ticket, including
county Judge and mem Der Of the Assem-
bly,, are to be chosen, and home interests
require the selection of men upon whom
the people can rely for prudent and at
the same time an efficient home govern
snent. To secure result so much to be
desired, independence Of action to great
extent is needed and it is only by the ex-
ercise Of such independence that parties
can be compelled, as it were, 10 push
tricksters and wire workers aside and
bring to the front the best men in their
respective ranks.
True merit is said to be modest and un-
assuming, hence it follows that in many
cases that the men most competent to Gil
public place are not the ones who seek
it, But it does not thereby follow that
they are che less entitled to recognition
at the hands of their fellow citizens
Most men are ambitious to q certain ex-
tent bat are crowded out of the conipet-
ing ranks by those Of more prctcn sion,
but less true worth. 1t requires little or
no urging to bring some men iUto the
field Of politics where its tricks and cor
ruptions seem to become them like sec
ond nature. These are the ones who best
succeed. What is lacking in ability is
more thai~made up in "cheek. D." Check"
has carried many man into the place he
was no more fitted to occupy than a Chi
naman is to serve as Judge of Probate.
The power of "cheek" is almost illimit-
Il Bile.
The power of the voter to use his vote
to the best advantage is often imoaired
by giving thoughtless and basty pledges.
viii you support me for such or such n
position if | run ?" says some would be
candidate. Often the promise TO DO so is
given without thought of its possible
consequences. We have known free Guent
instances o! this character when man Of
standing has given his promise and then
seen reason to regret it almost instantly.
He will hear of another spoken OF for the
same position whom be would have pre-
ferred on personal grounds or on those of
higher qualification. But his word is
given and he feels that he cannot well Ell
ther retract or fasfy it.
We are in the beginning of local can
vass which concerns the interest Of every
resident Of the county. The county debt
is large, with interest piling up until on
some portions of the scrip it exceeds the
original sum for which it was issued -
Taxes are high with no prospect of i'm
mediate diminution. We require an
economical and honest administration Of
our local government and this is only to
be effected by placing those in charge Of
il who can be relied upon. Every man
should feel that he is himself responsible
in n measure, for the administration Of
county affairs in proper manner during
the terms for which the officers soon to be
elected will hold. lie should find himself
free and untrammeled on election day to
cast his ballot in such manner rs to Sc
cnre the end which every good citizen
should have in view-good government.
To find himself in this condition he must
refrain from pledging himself to any one
unless that one be bis choice above all
others who could be named.