The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-10-30
THE COMING ELECTION.

reaches its readers the result of the
election in the state and county will be
known. The time has passed when q
newspaper can by it's support or opposi-
ton to man or set of men, materially
affect the result. No one votes at the
dictation of paper, SO that its province
does not lie in giving directions to elect
ors, but in that candid criticism of can
didates, which will expose defects and
reveal merits. A man undeserving of
support through incompetency or dis
honesty has reason to fear the opposition
of the press, for the reason that it un-
masks him before the people. No man
can safely defy public opinion nor believe
that the people are Indifferent to matters
which affect his reputation as man or
his competency as an officer. When
there is no great disparity between the
candidates on opposing tickets, it is to
be presumed that party fealty will secure
to the nominee of a party the vote to
which the choice of the party represen-
tatives has entitled him. Only this and
nothing more. When the merits of a
candidate greatly transcend those of his
competitor, party should yield to the con-
sciousness that superior merit is needed
in public position.
No person who has given sufficient
consideration to the respective merits of
the two candidates for the positions of
governor can hesitate in saying that Jen-
kins is UNNECESSARILY superior to Smith.
Smith is a shrewd politician, he is not in
point of ability, respectable governor.
He is characterized by no pre-eminent
quality save a greed for holding office.
Every city in the state of over 1900 in
habitants has many men within its pre-
cincts more intelligent and better fitted
for the position of governor than IS Mr..
Smith. He has been repeatedly honored
by the people to an extent far beyond
his merits. Were lie a man of marked
ability, if his administration were such
as would reflect credit on the state
abroad and be just cause of pride at
home, these would be weighty reasons
why his claims should be considered
paramount to others and should hush
the murmurs of dissatisfaction at having
one man so highly honored while others
were neglected. But Smith can lay
claim to nothing more than respectable
mediocrity. He does not possess one
single quality which could inspire en-.
thusiasm in his supporters.
He can ask for support on no other
ground than that he is republican.
The most bitter partisansnip can say
nothing derogatory of Mr.. Jenkins as a
man nor aught that would warrant the
belief that his administration would be
anything but pure and able. He enjoys
the confidence and respect of every in
telligent man in the state. His reputa-
ton for candor, probity and ability
stands unrivaled. He is not an office
seeker and accepted the nomination for
governor at great personal sacrifice.
He has not wearied the people by his
great opportunities for public position.
He has built up reputation in his pro.
fession second to none in the state. His
record is unassailable. His whole life
not only refutes any charge against his
honor but makes such charge impossible.
Can any man hesitate in his choice be-
tween those rival candidates One is an
lnveterate Office seeker; the other reluct
antly consents to allow his name to come
before the people. One has not enough
If that positive ability to make warm
friends, or even active enemies; the
other is always spoken of as occupying
The first rank among able thinkers. One
has forced himself upon the people: the
other has been pushed forward as al
applicant for official position by the PEG.