New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-03

npriment of n really quiet canvass iho S''-
cral intelligence has reached such a hisht, '1c
channels of information carry 80 much ~
orickIv. that Judgment can he diSpassionate
while if is speedy. And the fact that, In the
event of any election, the country Is pie''S
likely to be safe, is enough to raise the quc7-
tion whether there Is any necessity LOT INC
straining and hauling, the bad temper anu pro-
family, the false accusations ana thc a'tH"i us
closures. thc elimination and recrimlha-
ton. the lying and Misrepresentation, that
have come to be the most conspicuous lea
TIRES of n Presidential canvass. While the
question apparently before The country Is
usually one OF governmental policy, winch
might he settled on its merits without the aid
of billingsgatc and revelations, the TACT that
n great mass of booty awaits the VIC
tors arou,es the ofice-h0lGcrs and the
oficc-scckcrs to n fierce combat when
fills all the land with uprolr ANA
scattcrs dust and blood on the whole people.
In this contest, for instance, while there are
great principles ut stake, ii is difficult 10 UNI
dclstand what need there is OF personal witt
pcration or undue heat. Mr. Goodwin, VINO
now supports Gov. Tihlen, and Mr.. Schurz,
who now supports Hayes, and many others OF
their stamp, favored the election OF both ol
these gentlemen to the offices they now hold
on the ground of their fidelity TO the princi-
piles which they believed most important and
of their high personal character. Between the
t,yo men if is easy for all to choose calmly
and considcratey; between the two parties
which they head and the principles which they
represent. it ought to be just a, easy to make
.,l,ss, 20 gTtN-
.paigns bring an evil even more demordtzlng'
There IL good reason to believe that the eN-
pcnditure of money in national campaigns ana
in all campaigns for that matter, has reached
a point on both sides which may not indicate
widespread ana fatal corruption, but which Is
n forbddug element in our politics and cal
culated 20 arouse the sinccrcst alarm.
I'm a Presidential contest, 20 be sure, much
is TO be forgiven to the carncStneSs % the
combafants but il is really getting to I've Sc
| rio,Is question whether we do not haN" 700
much politics. Every four years there Is
! grand struggle over all the countless Offices III
/ the country. Every two years nearly every
| State goes through similar contest on.
smaller scale, aud every year there are
members of Legislatures TO elect III
some states Governors TO elect, and N al
/ most every city sloll Of local offices,
/ which must needs bc wranglcd Over because
/ there are half a hundred local politicians amhi-
| tious of each post. There is much to be
! slid in favor of frequent elections. They
/ keep the people from that I"thai-y whir' Is
most fatal to liberty; they make officers
speedily accountable TO those who have III
trusted them with government; they III
sure the people prompt and exact rep
rcscrtatiou. On the other hahd tmy
absorb large proportion OF money
time, and energy that might more
proGtabv be expended elsewhere; they de
range the ordinary business at life; they dIlyc
ont. cspccialy from local and legislative
riarc,. the men who have just be-
orn 70 learn something OF their duties,
ard put in men who must begin at the be-
pinuin: and learn it all over again. Ii would
hc difficult for instance, to hJd any reason
, Why the term of a good county clerk or Shci1h
should not be- of Il reasonable length, except
in the hunger OF the politicians. There Is
something of reason in Che protest OF the
/ brown-,tDnc voter who stays away from the
polls. If he goes there he must cast bis vote,
especially for local Office, for many men
of whom he knows absolutely nothing
There j. too much politics abroad Tor
the average citizen to master. That there l.
some desire for z change is to he seen III the
lcngthcniug of the term of the Goycrnor OF
this State and in the increase of sentiment Tor
a longer Presidential tenn with the Limitation
that there shall be no reelection: Not 20 much
perhaps in these greater rs in the lesser Offices
is some reform of administration needed that
will allow us to retain for reasonable tim"
servants who have shown themselves faithful.