Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-12-04
C0ssMUNICATED.


The canvass for the Legislature is
over. Thoughtful citizens are more dis
gusted than ever with our present sys-
TEN of parry management, because 1t
enables our machine politicians to keep
out of office the very men the people
want. Every one sees, that the prima-
ries are used to stifie the public will and
TO trick us out of our votes; every one
sees, they enable few unworthy and
very corrupt men to control our cleo
tions; every one sees, they are used TO
prevent the nomination of every man
whose defeat is desired by the railroad
and by our unfit millionaire candidates
for the U. S. Senate, and that we are
compelled to vote for men we do not
want In fact, things have come 10
such pass, that the man who is strong
est before the people, is weakest in con
vention, because, combination is al
ways made against any bold, aggressive
man, who fights for the public welfare
and against the personal schemes OF
those who make money IN politics.
1t is the very height Of folly to ex-
peot any improvement so long as we
continue the present system. The
events of the last sixty days are still
fresh in the mind OF every one and
teach lesson, that, ifrelnembered, will
be useful in the future, mai ...
Let it be understood, We make no
war upon the gentlemen elected; indeed
considering the wretched situation of
our politics, we congratulate the coun-
ty upon their selection. 1t is true
neither of them is an aggressive man;
neither is likely to champion All unpop-
ular measure or to sacrifice himself tor
the public good, but still, they have
Sufficient ability not TO be hoodwinked,
they cannot come back and ''plead the
bajy 0cf" to excuse their blunders. We
repeat, as things are going, we are for
tunate to do so we'll.
At the opening of the canvass, the
stool-pigeons of an unfit candidate for
the Senate joined hands with the rail
road to manage this county, and it was
their confident expectation to nominate
men who could be used TO subserve
their schemes, but, thanks to the active
influence OF one OF two intelligent citl-
zens, the Vaccinations Of these trick
sters were exposed and their plans, par
italy, frustrated. 1t is true, they sue
ceeded in defeating certain gentlemen
who would have rendered this county
the greatest service; it is true, they were
able TO crush certain candidates who
were preferred TO any others; it is true
we were compelled TO make, selection
between evils and to vote for men who
were not our choice, but still the plans
OF the self fconstituted managers were
partially defeated and we have done
much better than was to be expected
1t is evident, under the present sys-
tenn, no man will be nominated if it be
known that he intends to expose the
schemes TO plunder the people. A faith
ful and competent man, who will be ag-
gressivo, is dreaded in proportion TO his
recognized ability, and as a matter OF
course, is. zealously opposed by every
knave who has some personal interest
to advance. Inc people want, in the
legislature, men who are quick to e1-
pose rascality, whereas, on the other
hand, our machine politicians want men
who will act on ihe principle-'let me
alone and / will let you alone. But,
unfortunately, the people are easily
fooled and made to vote against the
very men who would render them the
greatest service. As soon. as a man OF
nerve, honesty and brains takes his
stand against the personal schemes OF
our managers, they set to work to break
down his influence and to prejudice the
public mind against him, he becomes
target for misrepresentation and abuse
and in short time every sinpIeton in
the county is barking at his heels;-like
dogs at night, each barks because he
hears another. II is true, we have a
few well Informed and intelligent citi-
zens scattered through Jefferson who
estimate men according to their person
al merits and whose judgments are not
misled by This abuse and misreyresen,a-
ton, but these gentlemen seldom at
tend the precinct meetings and exer-
cise little or no influence in respect TO
the nominations. Hence, il is perfectly
well understood among shrewd politi-
clans, that no candidate succeeds If II
be known that he viii thwart the per
sonal schemes Of those who prosecute
the business of managing the primaries.
The effect of this state of things, is
inevitable, disastrous and manifest 1st.
The public service is denied the benefit
of our best and most competent men;-
they are effectually excluded from Office
and the masses are prejudiced against
them. End. Strictly frst-cfass men alb