Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-03-06
COMMUNICATED.
Tbe EIec,ious Next Fall.

1t don't matter who is Sheriff and
Assessor, because the laws and the taxes
will be the same with one man as with
another; but it is of infinite Importance
that we select EFFICIENT men for the
Legislature and States Attorney. These
places offer the widest field for useful
ness Such Offices are generally occu-
pied by men of the most moderate ca
pacity who are content to jog along and
by avoiding responsibility to perform
the routine duties OF the place with re-
spectacle satisfaction; whereas thesa
positions are much coveted by men who
combine laudable ambition with ability,
because they afford SO many opportuni-
ties to achieve results Of vast public I'M
portance. The distinction is between
occupying an Office and filling an office.
We will deal with the office of Prose
cutting Attorney in future article; at
present we have some reflections IN re-
gard to the Legislature.
A competent and faithful representa-
tive will accomplish valuable legislation
and will prevent uuwise and injurious
laws.
Our numbers, wealth and intelligence
fairly entitle us to considerable influence
in the State, but Jefferson contributes
nothing to shape legislation. Our men
vote right, but they have no influence +;
one vote don't count and consequently
our county has no voice in matters OF
the greatest Importance to her people.
We want a man who has abold, orig
ipating mind, who thinks for himself
and will 60 ahead on his own Judgment.
We want a man able to take problem
of legislation and gather information to
enlarge and enlighten his Judgment;
able to originate law that will correct
some public evil or inconvenience and
write out a statute TO accomplish the
desired result. We want man able to
answer the honest objections of the un-
informed and able TO expose the ma
chinations of those who are influenced
by corrupt motives.
When great issues are at stake; when
there is a struggle between the public
interest and the schemes to make money;
when there is a combination of outside
influence to bull-doze and drive the Leg
lslature in the wrong direction, faith
full and competent LEADER is worth
millions to the people, because he will
denounce the lobby, point ont the path
of duty and publish the truth to the peo-
pie at home.
In the absence Of a faithful LEADER, it
is easy for capital to control the Legls-
lature. The way is this; newspapers
are induced to publish only one side OF
question; facts are distorted and false,
hood is dressed in cunning sophistrles
the people are misled and deceived; a
mistaken and Fictitious public sentiment
is built up which reacts OH the orsrdge
legislator with tremendous force and IN
nine cases out of ten he will sacrifice his
own judgment in order to pacify the
clamors of deluded mob;-so he votes
wrong to get the credit of voting right
No man of generous ambition, who
desires political preferment, unless he is
:. student, a speaker and practiced
writer, can afford to antagonize the
schemes OF the Lobby. lie who serves
the Lobby is praised, petted and ad
vanced, while he who serves the public
as against the Lobby is bounded by the
Press, pimps and pensioners OF concen
trated capital. a competent leader may
defy the influence of manufactured sen
timent, because by publishing his
speeches he can send his facts, view:
and reasons broad cast over the State
aud if right he will be sustained by al
enlightened public opinion. Whereas
if man, is not accustomed Crained) tt
investigate subjects; if he is not prac
ticed writer and speaker, then when any
great and important question comes up
/ he must take back seat, because if hC
steps to the front, he will get squefchfd
We will continue these reflections
next week. JUNIUS.