Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-07-27
COMMUNICATED.
OFFICE SEEKERS.

The masses have not very good
opinion of this numerous and Ubiquitous
lass. IL is proper for any one to seek
the Sheriffalty, Clerkship, &c, because
of the pecuniary emoiuments of these
offices, and because i requires no pecu-
liar and eminent qualifications to dis
charge such duties. But when one
says, 81 wish to go to Wheeling or
Washington Tor to both in due time) to
make laws for the State or nation" he
assumes high mental and moral quail
ties which are rare, and certainly 1t
would be more creditable for others to
ascribc them to him, than for him to be-
come his own trumpcter.
When any man undertakes to push
himself on the people as candidate TOR
a legislative office, the fair inference is
that they lack interest or intelligence,
Tor both) and consequently are not COM
petent to select their own legislators
Doubtless, until lately, candidates have
been nominated by the court house ring
masters, and if any one from any other
part of the county wished an office he
was obliged to iugratiate himself with
these dignitaries; but now the people
see that they have been imposed on
that these office seekers and rng-mas-
tiers are intent on selfish, and mercenary
ends-that their interest have been sac
rifCed to personal advancement.
When professional politician is cleo
ted to the House of Delegates he is then
ambitious for promotion-his eye is
next on the State Senate, then the Ma
tional House of Representatives, then
U. s. Senate, and perhaps Che says mod
es,ly to his wite) | may be MIR. Hayes
successor. What controls the conduct
OF such men in their public acts +?
They look after the interests of their
constituents so far as to retain their ia
vor and to use them as tools 10 secure
preferment. Their chief concern is to
soft soap and consort with the political
managers of their own and other coun-
ties so as to rapidly climb the political
ladder. Sefishness governs, and not
the welfare If the people. The best
legislators are those whom the people
select, because they take those of their
own Misunderstanding the same inter
ests they have-they cannot avoid be-
ing faithful representatives., because
when they work for selfish objects they
at the same time work for their constlt-
uency, their interests being the same.
The monetary pressure has weakened
party ties; every man has been forced
to think and act for himself, that relief
may Gf possible) be attained.
Some of the most influential journals
of the country have warned their respec-
tive parties to select their best men, be-
cause if cliques and rings nominate I'M
suitable candidates the people will bolt
and support independent candidates.
Our readers must not forget that
Gov. Jacobs defeated Mr.. Camden
that Jno. w. Grantham defeated +.
Willis Wilson, because the conventions
that nominated Camden and Wilson
were believed to be packed.
The county of Barbour was represen-
ted in the Legislature of 1877 by farm
er-this year the rural population of
that county has had forced on them
lawyer-who for years has been an as
pirant for Congress-who having very
little or no interest i'll common with
them, has accepted the nomination for
selfish preferment.
The result is, an intelligent, educated
farmer has been brought out by the
country people as their independent
candidate, and will Chey say certainly
be elected.
We hope the conventions of the
counties of the Senatorial aud Cougres
sional districts viii! act fairly, having no
trading and packing, but carry out the
wishes of the people and not OF the par
ty managers. If men such as the peo-
pie want are not nominated they may
will likely be defeated by independent
candidates Of their own party.
The large majority of the people of
the middle, western and southern States
are greenbackers, that is they want all
property taxed alike-Dational banks
abolished-money issued by the govern
ment in sufficient quantities to restore
prosperity-to give work to the unem-
ployed, TODD to the hungry aud clothes
to the half clad. The people are intent
on relief and will break old party tics
if the old parties will not give them tie
men and measures they want There
fore we want the democratic party OF
this and adjoining counties, and of the
State, to obey the demands of the peo-
pie, or soon that party will be supplant-
ed by the indignant people Organized