The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-07-29
CHOOSE THE BEST.

The party in the ascendant, whether in
national or local politics, always labors
under the disadvantage of having a null
titude seeking nominations. Nor is good
judgment exercised in selecting a nomi-
nee from the hosts of applicants. Con-
ventions very rarely express the prefer
renee OF the people for candidate.
Those who are most claflorous and i'm
purtunate, usually have the strongest
backing at conventions. So well is this
fact understood that many who would
I'll public positions with credit to them
selves and with profit to the people. do
not come forward in the scramble for
office, so that the choice is left between
people Whose modesty does not forbid
ceaseless importuning. Delegates to a
convention decide solely between those
who have put themselves forward. ''Ask
and We shall receive" is the principle
upon which conventions are run. Among
politicians, if the claim of any locality
receives consideration, it is with refer
ence solely to the person whose thirst
for position has made him a chronic
Office seeker. 1t is not the man best fit
ted whose name is mentioned but the
man most pertinacious in asking for
something.
1t is rarely that an unpledged infiuen-
tial man goes to the extent of positive
refusal of his support to the preteDsions
Of an Office seeker no matter how I'M
worthy he might deem the aspirant.-
First come first promised" is an adage,
in practice if not in crrency, which
makes hard work necessary in order to
carry the ticket through. The men on
the ticket whose nomination give it re
spectability and whose election is I'M
questioned must put in good work to
save the political fortunes of those whom
the party should have left in deserved
obscurity. Conventions are rapidly be.
coming humbugs and instead of voicing
the sentiment of the people, are an ex-
position of the work done by candidates.
1t is the engineering, the wire pulling,
the solicitation, and not the merit of the
candidates that count. These are what
rule conventions and it is this knowledge
that makes {. cultivation of these quail
ties a desideratum rather than efficiency
in office. Careful attention to duties,
honesty aud competency unsupported by
the arts of the politician, invariably yield
in convention to shrewd manipulation
of primaries. The tenure of office by
the faithful servant is always precarious;
while the shrewd politician may neglect
duties and command successful the con-
vention.
A presidential election calls out men
whose fitness entities their claims to no
consideration. The enthusiasm of the
party Is relied upon as favorable wind
to watt them into Office. At time when
a good local ticket is of paramount i'm
portance to the general ticket, the latter
is loaded down with the worthless timber
of the former, People who trust to the
representatives of the party in the con-
vention, become Disguised with their
action and stay away from the polls.-
What should be a source Of strength be-
comes an element of weakness, and the
unknown but worthy whole stands on
the same level with that part which is
known to be faulty. 1t is to be hoped
that the democratic convention for Man.
itowoc county will place no man in NOM
nation this fall who will not give strength
to the ticket. Those who clamor most
for position on the ticket are not the
men most desirable. No party is in such
striat that it must, perforce, nominate a
man whose candidacy is disgraceful. No
nomination at all is better than one
which candid, reputable men cannot
approve.