Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-10-11
MACHINE POLITICS AND THE
INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT.

late issue Oh the Kew orh gun" hiOh
is well known 10 be one of the stanch-
est aud most asiute Democratic organs
in the country. 1t shows that the peo-
pie in many of the Southern States,
heartily disgusted with machine politics
and FESTIVE under the domination OF
ring rule, are determined to submit no
longer to the intolerant dictation of cor
rupt cliques and intriguing politicians,
who, secretly and for selfish purposes,
omit no opportunity TO make up states,
subsidize papers, manipulate caucuses
and manage conventions.
And We cordially commend their eX-
ample to such of our fellow citizens OF
this State who, preterring TO think for
themselves, are capable of forming their
own opinions and who have the indie
pendence 10 act in accordance with their
own unfettered will rather than in sla-
wish obedience TO the commands OF
those selfappointed Iing-'nasters who
so mercilessly WELD the party lash in
our political contests -
TIE EXAMPLE OF GEoRGIA.-The
Legislature of Georgia has made short
work with the high officials of the State
who had prostituted their trusts and
filled their pockets. They we've native
thieves, of responsibility enough 10 have
been elected to the places which they
occupied and speedily converted into
sources Of personal profit. THIS exam
pie will have a good effect outside the
State in showing that high family intiu-
ences cannot always be successfully eX-
erted to screen rascality and crime.
This exposure in Georgia will give
the Independent movement a decided
impulse throughout the State, and may
contribute to the overthrow Of the pres
ent political organization. The indie
peDdents are Democrats opposed to the
old clique, which took possession OF
the party machinery after the carpet
baggers were cast aside, and have held
it since then, under the lead of a certain
set of managers The rank and file be-
came FESTIVE under this rule OF a close
corporation. During the last two or
three years there has beer open rebel
lion in several localities against regular
nominations. Dr. FELTON, was twice
elected TO Congress as an Independent
from the Seventh District The regu-
lars put up q candidate of the machine
last year TO run Alexander II. Stephens
off the track, but the old man took this
proceeding as an affront, announced
himself as a candidate, traversed the dis
trict, and drove his opponent from the
field.
-Four Independents from Georgia are
members of the present Congress, elect
ed without an organized party, and IN
defiance OF the Bourbon leaders. The
sentiment of opposition TO machine pol
ilics is rapidly growing, and will soon
gain ascendancy in the State. 1t can
not mature there without affecting con-
tiruous States, some of which are al
ready more than half inclined to adopt
new policy and to push the old chiefs,
who assume to hold the reins and to APP
propriste the political profits from their
high stools of selfappointed authority.
In Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
South Carolina, North Carolina, Ten
ne.see, and Virginia there are divisions
and discords between the men who man
AGE conventions, dictate nominations,
and carry off all the prizes, and the
more recent growth of aspirants who
have been dong the drudgery and get
ting cold comfort for their work. The
ante beiI.un leaders, with few exceptions,
are not in good odor. and this spirit OF
independence which is manitesung itself
inside the Democratic lines is likely TO
produce important results to the solid
South.
When it is assumed that one hundred
and thirty eight votes will be cast by
the Southern States for any candidate
the Democratic Convention may homl-
nate. indifference is shown to an exist
ing condition of facts. The solidity OF
the South will depend greatly upon the
nomination. y TIE masses Of the South
ern people are most concerned about the
advancement of their material Interests,
and there are many Southern men
watching the developments at the North,
and expecting to he finally guided by
them in the choice of candidate for
President-many more than is supposed
bv those who count States at their iiu-
ger ends as if they were playthings.
ry ExcURsIoN.-On Saturday last,
an excursion party ofabout two hundred
in number, from Berryville, Va, and
vicinity, arrived here via the 5. '. K.
r.. at OLE o'clock A. NJ, and after
aligh,ing from the train, proceeded to
the grove of Mr.. W. T. LemeD near
town, where they spent the day in va
rous amuscments. They were escorted
10 the train on their return in the eve
ming by CriswelTs Band, who, tor the
first time, appeared in their uniforms
The excursionists left for Berryvllle at
=. NJ, and we hope with many pleasant
recollectons OF Shepherdstown.
Lg LAMP ExrIosIoN-We regret
10 state that Mrs. f. V. Adams, wife of
Mr.. w. a. Adams Of this town. was
very badly burned about the right hand
and wrist, on Wednesday night last.
She was irvine 70 remove a lamp filled