Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-06-17
ABOUT "RINGS."
We have received from a friend in
the country the following letter:

KNOX COUNTY, Tenn, June IA.
Mr.. EDITOR: I live III the country and
1 am not well posted as to the meaning of
the new words and Ephrases that are con-
stantly cropping out in political literature.
What is the meaning of the word ring, as
we see it used in the newspapers of to-day? |
We see it applied to Roscoe Conkling and
his friends in New York, and to various |
other parties throughout the country.
1t has been applied to those in our part of
the country who are, or have been, in the |
employment of the government.
Does it apply to all who seek such employ
ment, or only to those who ought not to ask,
for the reason only that others desire the
places asked for?
Does it apply to the firm of Houk and
Gibson? or does it only apply to those who |
differ with them?
Now, we eountrymen who do the voting
see little difference between the so-called
old custom-house ring and the present one.
The change may benefit individuals who are
clamoring against rings because they are not
members of them; but when they get new
rings formed what advantage are we voters
to receive?
Now, if you can explain to us what this
word ring does mean you will much obhge
some of your readers. Z.
We have heard and read q great
deal about "rings," but we do not
known whether we are able to give a
satisfactory answer to the questions
of our correspondent or not. AS
applied to politics, a "ring," as we
understand it, is a combination of
individuals to control the honors and
emoluments incident to party pol
itics, in the interest of particular in
dividuals or factions To be mem
Der of s:ring is regarded as some
thing odious, against which there is
supposed to exist more or less pref
udice among the voters; hence, the
term is not infrequently applied by
one faction as against another, with
view of turning this prejudice to
good account in making votes for a
politician whose strength lies, not in
his own merits, but in his ability to
bawl "stop thief while he runs
away with the stolen goods. A man
with very bad record finds it con-
venient to speak about the imperfec-
tons of others, and if he can make
it appear that he is the victim of
"ring influences, or "ring" perse>
cutions, he assumes an air of injured
innocence, and when his own short
comings are mentioned he plays the
role of martyr, and sheds crocodile
tears over his hard fate. He appeals
first to mems prejudices, and then to
their sympathies.
Our correspondent asks if the term
applies to all persons who seek gov
eminent employment, or only to such
as ought not to ask, for the reason
that others desire the places asked
for This depends entirely upon
whose COX is gored." II is not in
frequently the case that those who
have the most to say about such
things are those who belong
| to the most compact ''rings
themselves, and while they regard il
as treason to confer favors outside
of their close corporation, it is thu
very acme of patriotism to recognize
one of their own number.
We are asked if the term applies
to the firm of Houk & Gibson, Of
only to those who differ with them
Here again it depends entirely upol
those who are to answer the ques
ton.
The Houk & Gibson "ring" il
an exceedingly close corporation
but, in their estimation,any man who
calls in question, for a single mo-
ment, the intelligence, honesty, So
briefly or patriotism of any membe
of their combination, is miserable
"ringster." They claim an indefeasi
ble right to parcel out the various
Offices among themselves, and an.
man who ventures to question any
thing is a disembler,. a Democrat
and traitor. No man can belong
to this combination who does no
admit that Houk is a second edition
, of Daniel Webster, revised and i'm
proved.
But the word "ring is generall
used in politics is mere catch~word
used and applied to a faction, whel
nothing else can be thought of o
said. Those who employ the tern
most frequently, use it as a cutie
fish does his ink bag"-to enabl
themselves to escape observation
Ii the people believe it to their in
terest to support rings, composed Q
the meanest and lowest elements i
society. they will do it, but they ar
not easily deceived.