The sun., 1878-08-19

In the present dcmora1od state II ror-
tics. when nominations by packed conYcn-
tions have lost much Of thcir accustomed
force and even old politicians speak out with
unusual loldncss, there is a great opportu-
nifty offered for independent mon 90 achieve
IA reform which would be difficult to attain
under either Republican or Democratic rule.
There s very littlc practical difference be-
tween the two parties in their aims, organi-
cation. and machinery. Both are controlled
b. selfish influences, and both sock power
for the material advantages which it con-
fcrs rather than for the public good.
Candidates for Office are made 10y a duplex
machine Of primaries and conventions. They
are branded Republican or Democrat and
the nume il really the chief distinction be-
tween them Congress, state Legislatures.
aud city councils are manufactured in this
way, and the result Of the system as now
developed after long and costly trial, II
bankruptcy and ruin Party rule has
brought the country To- the dcrlorahlc CON
dition which IL now seen and tclt by suffer
ing millions.
The great mass II the people, who do not
seek or expect office. want honesty and econ
omy, and especially now, after five years of
continued hariships. when taxation weighs
down every industry and shacklcs all forms
Of enterprise
They are mostly concerned at this time In
rcturn of prosperity and in the bcst mode
of promoting 1t. Whatever hclls that OBJ
iect is Of consequence to them. The clec-
tions for members of the House of Repre-
sontatiycs and Tor state Legislatures lave
e. D.
usual And the independent voters have u
chance toasscrt an influence which, if wisely
directed, may contribute TO relieve the eX-
isting burdens.
To exert this influence effectively /, IS not
necessary, by any means. to rush wildly
into amy NV party organization, with the
dclusiyc hope Of finding there a panacea for
Ills that the old parties have failed to cure.
Whoever il carried away with the idea that
merely 10y abandoning old forms and taking
up with Il new form. relief will come surely.
and the atmosphere of politics will be AT
once purified 10y miraculous change, will
soon discover that hc has foolishly cucour-
aged q deusion.
The independent voters can. however. make
their votes effective I'm a simple way, aud 10y
these direct methods:
/. Refuse t. vote for any candidate for Con-
Rrcss who aided or ahcttcd the Great Fraud
by his voice or his vote.
g. Require from very candidate for Con-
gre explicit pledges In favor - reducing
all public expenditures e. the lowest point
Re iuirc from every candidate for con.
grcss public commiital against subsidies
in every shape, whether 10y loan of the
public credit or by grants OF land to rail
road corporations. or 10y money to steam
ship lines. under the disguise OF paying foi
transportation of the mails
These are the three leading points upon
which there should he q clear understands
ing between the candidates and the con-
stituencies. Let all sides have an equal and
fair chance to bc heard. When the answers
are given the people will be- quick to know
who is the man to hc trusted, and he Is the
man 10 be- supported. no matter how he may
be called politically. BY thi, method hon
orable representatives will be sent to tho
House. and though ii may derange the plans
Of the managers, IL will serve the public
aud at the same time help to smash the
machine which has run the Government
into discredit. Apply the principle 20 can
dldates FOR the State Legislatures, and ii
will work cut most desirable results This
is the opportunity Of the Independent voter,
and he should not let It slip away unheeded