Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-18
Conscience in Politics.

Sheridan, who knew roues and poll
ticians thoroughly. makes a character
in one OF his comedies say, "Conscience
has no more to do with gallantry than
it has with politics." The sentiment is
shamefully bad one, and yet We fear
it is still as popular with politicians as
it is with roues.
The times are not any worse now
than they we're when Sheridan sneered
at conscience in politics. Even in the
patriotic days when the colonies were
struggling to enforce the maxim, TAX
alton without representation is tyran-
n.y." there were those who ridiculed
the idea of honesty in politics as high
flown notion. An anecdut of those
days illustrates this disposition.
james Otis had in 1760 become so
popular with the Boston patriots that
they determined to elect him Repre-
sentative to the General Court, such be-
ing the legal name OF the Legislature.
One day, Otis, meeting q Boston mem
Der of the Court, a willy politician. who
years, remarked,--
"They talk of sending me to the next
General Court"
You have, Mr.. Otis, replied the
politician "ten times the learning and
ability that have, but you WON'T sue
coed in General Court,-you know
nothing of human nature"
indeed" answered Otis, with a
smile. 81 wish you would give me
some lessons"
II will do SO with pleasure, and be-
gin now. What meeting do you go
to?"
"Dr. Sewall's," said Otis, referring
to the pastor of the Old South Church.
Every well! you must stand up in
sermon time, look devout and atten.
tive. Do you have family prayers?"
"No."
"It would be we'll if you did. How
many does your family consist OF? ?"
"Four or FIVE, generally, but now l
have an addition,-one of DR.. Sewall g
members. who is nurse to my wife.
"That's the very thing. You must
talk religion with her, and have family
prayers at least once while she is in the
house. That woman can do you much
harm or good. She will spread the
flame of your pisty throughout DR.. Sc
wallis church.
"Let me tell you," continued the
politician without conscience, show
I manage. Two or three weeks before
An election comes on, I send to the
cooper and get all my casks put in Or
der. I say nothing about the number
of hoops. I send also to the mason
and have some job done to the hearths
and chimueys. The carpenter is hired
to make repairs in the roof. often
go down to the ship-yards about eleven
o'clock when they break off to take
their drink, and enter into converse.
ton with them. They all. coopers,
carpenters, masons and shipwrights
vote for me-"
Otis and the crafty demagogue parted.
Both were elected to the next General
Court. By means similar to those he
used in persuading the people to elect
him, the politician got the House to
appoint him a member of the Govern
or's Council. Then, for a long time,
he neglected to visit the ship-yards.
On his next visit, one of the men re-
marked, with Sarcastic SMILE
"You don't come to see us so often
as you did before you got into the
Council"
well, boys, that's true," said the
intriguing politician, with a laugh;
but the fact is, my time is all taken
up. Besides, don't you know that the
House of Representatives chooses the
Council ?"
Human nature is pretty much the
same at all times, and political human
nature is always the same,-that is, the
mere politician always looks out for
No. l, conscience or no conscience. He
is one of the corrupting evils of Re-
publican Government.
1t is well-known fact that politics
when followed as business, and high
toned morality never coalesce. Self.
interest is the "higher law to the mere
politician, expediency his rule of life.
His success is his duty. "The means
are justified by the end" is his motto.
Such men are often honest in their
private lives, but in politics no trick is
so vain" that they will not use it, no
way so dark" that they will not walk
therein, if thereby they may gain q
political advantage. Hc1orable men
are repealed by their craftiness and
falsehoods; ''lewd fellows of the
baser sort" gravitate toward them.
They are the tools Of their trade.
This is not an attractive analysis of q
class of men who ought to be the hon.
orable though unsalaried servants OF
the State. But "ts true, and pity
tbs it's true" Youths Companion.
Something in q Name.
A good story was told at recent
school Anniversary in Aarapau q Svise