Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-29
Small Men Assuming Great POws
ers-The Rule Of the Bosses

Sm8u MICH ASSUUu1DS NACoe v"
ers-The Rule Of the Bosses
The way in which the green
hack and democratic committees rule
and shape things for their respective
parties is astonishing to those who
have hitherto supposed that the rank
and file of parties have some rights which
leaders are bound TO respect. The Bosses
in these two parties are supreme The
Tammany Bosses are weaklings in com
parison to the fusion Bosses in Maine
Boss Kelly wields large power over the
Tammanyites. but it sinks into insignifl-
canoe whom compared with the despotie
sway Of Boss Chase. Boss Torrey, and
the other Bosses Of the fusion organiza-
ton.
These fusion Bosses build up and tear
down without so much as asking the
opinion of the parties to which they be-
long. Plaisted's nomination was made by
committees of Bosses 1t was fixed long be-
fore the convention at which Plaisted was
nominated. The nomination OF electors
| is all the work of the same Bosses They
met at Portland some days ago and start
the ball, and on Tuesday last in this city
they completed the job except so far a
relates 10 the case Of Hon. Samuel Watt
Of Thomaston. which is yet in suspense
and 10 be settled at meeting yet to bt
held BY the Bosses.
What rights has an humble member "
the rank and file in the fusion organiza
ton az now managed and bossed2 Nont
whatever. not even the right to have opln-
| ions of his own. The Bosses do all the
thinking and managing. They take hon
est hard money democrats and drive then
to the polls to vote for greenbackers 4: 81
they take greenbackers and make then
vote for ..bloated bondholders, or ma
tional bank presidents, or old Tom Ben
ton bullionists. They allow 10 principle
or scruples about principles to stand IL
the way of their Napoleonic edicts. The
Boston Post, the New England organ
Of the Bosses. says; principle is good
thing. Consistency Is jewel. Neither
this year stands in the way OF making
the alliance practicable and complete.
This is genuine sarcasm. principle is
good thing" says the Post. and then II
might as well have added, but truck and
.dicker, subject to. the management OF
BOSSES is better thing" When the
leading organs have no more regard for
principle than the Post displays the party
ought to be. drawing near to death S
door.
| But the Bosses have met and fixed
things-got everything to their mind,
offices parceled out, patronage divided,
themselves and their friends provided for
by agreement-and now what are the
plain people who cast the bulk Of the green
back and democratic votes going to dc
about it? VIII they assert their opinions
or let the Bosses think for them Will
they stand tor principle or yield to truck
and-dicker and set principle aside Will
they aid to establish the worst kind OF
Boss rule in the State as illustrated in the
course of the Committees of Bosses, OF
maintain their own self respect and aid in
| the overthrow of the men who have taken
such arbitrary, unwarrantable. and dan
gerous power into their hands?
The leaders in the fusion movement
have made their bargain. Can the good;
be delivered? That question will be an
swered at the polls in September.