The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-01-09
THE SENTINEL AND KEYES.

REPUBLICAN papers are quite wont to
carp at the Milwaukee Sentinel and are
in the habit of weekly reading it out OF
the party because it does not invariably
fall into line at the bidding of party
managers. The Sentinel is rather severe on
Reyes, but in being SO it is simply doing
him Justice. Reyes has really nothing
to commend him to the people of the
state of Wisconsin, but inveterate devo-
tion to party and cunningness in man
ipulation which ignores principle. 1t is
by no means creditable to state to offer
the most honorable position in its gift as
a compensation for ingenious political
wire-pulling. It is always the curse of
the party III power to seek to reward the
active politician rather than to recognize
worth. The claims of the tricky mana
ger always supersede those of the able
statesman, and preferment waits upon
the person whose name is a synonym for
intense craftsmanship. Whether the op
position of the Sentinel to Reyes is in
the interest of political purity or of some
favorite candidate, it is difficult to de-
termine. But even accepting the less
honorable motive the cogency of the Sen
tnerS reasoning is not Invested of force,
because it places it's opposition to Reyes
on grounds which cannot easily be con-
troverted. 1t is the merest nonsense to
assert that the SentjnePS opposition to
Reyes is a source of strength to him.
The mere opposition of paper is inju-
rious to no candidate in these days when
people form their own opinions from
facts that come within their observation.
But when a newspaper furnishes facts
on which people can base a judgment,
its influence is something which cannot
be measured by the sneers of its dissat-
isfied cotemporaries. 1t is a hopeless
task for the Sentinel or for any other pa
per to attempt to prevent party leaders
from disregarding the wishes of the
people, but it can aid In showing the
people the character and purposes of
professional politicians and thus enable
them to rid themselves of that political
seryitude which is the curse Of the age.
The Sentinel Is doing a good work
whether disinterestedly or otherwise,
work which will eventually benefit the
party, even though it should weaken it
while that party persists in evil doing.
1t is not difficult to perceive that the
Sentinel favors Carpenters election, but
it does not refer to him personally. Its
virtual support of Carpenter is apparent
from the qualities which it persists a
representative of the state must possess,
craftsmanship instead of partisanship
and qualifications which will enlist the
unsolicited support of the people instead
of support secured through a course of
systematic bargaining.
Ultra republican papers may deplore
and denounce the Sentinel for, the posi-
ton it has taken but 1t points Out the
only safe way through which any party
can maintain its power. 1t is not safe
: to defy public opinion in order to reward
services rendered by any prominent pol
itician. The people of Wisconsin are
not interested in the success of Keyes
because he has been the "head and
froat' of repubhcanism in the state.
They find it difficult to recall single
good thing which he has done disasso-
ciated from the success of the republican
party. They want man who is pos
sessed of no inferior ability and who
will consider his duty to the state para
mount to his duty to the party to which
he belongs.