The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-11-05
Machine Politics.
Farmers Friend.

dTflleT IltlIo- rss..- d..
1t has become the reproach OF
our nation that the management OF |
our politics has fallen almost en-
tire|y into the hands of bad men.
The formation OF parties which
could hardly be avoided, has de-
veloped leaders; and these actuated
by rivaIries aud admiratiOns, have
in their strife for mastery, resorted
10 means which are di8honOrabie,
an surrounded themselves with
helpers who have to be vile because
OF the dirty work they have 30 per
form. In govern ment whithpro
fesses to be ''of the people, for the
people aud by the people" we have
the shameful spectacle of machine
politics, the nomination of officers
by bosses and rings, fraudulent cleo
tions and most corrupt conduct on
the part of those who hold office
1t is seldom of any use to nam"
good men for official positions. Two
reasons exist which lead to their re-
lection: They will not use their
Offices for the promotion Of mere
party purposes, and the place tor
which they are named must be given
as rewards to party hacks for SER
vices rendered. The welfare of the
people and the principles OF the
constitution are alike ignored by
our machine politicians. He regards
the people as destitute OF any rights
which he is bound to respect, and
looks npon the constitution AS col
lection Of glittering generaities
which is to be quietly ignored, or
so interpreted as will most benefit
the party. To attend primary
meeting with the expectation OF
putting good men into nomination
is, generally, tie show ones ignor~
| ance of machine management, and
to take upon ones self an obligation
to support candidates who merit
| only defeat There are not few
leaders who admit that when re-
ceiving ballots at a primary elec
ton they have systematically de
stroye1 the ballots handed them,
and d9positing in the box others
containing the names Of candidates
previously selected by the bosses.
A boss on being informed by q
worthy young man that he desired
a nomination quietly replied "YOu
can't have it. ''Why?" asked the
young man. "Because | say so,
replied the boss but, said the
young man, II am sure that a large
majority Of the constituents will
support me" THAT makes no diff
ference rejoined the leader; ''nO
man is ever elected here when j
say he shan't bell
This monster evil, which is insul (,
ting the intelligence of the people
and destroying their liberties, must
be checked and that speedily
Voters must admit that the claims
OF patriotism are far above those OF
party. Party allegiance must al
ways be held as subordinate to the
welfare of the nation. Every m an
should demand of his party purity
OF principles, ard the nomination OF
honest and capable candidates who
Will carry out those principles.
Every worthy name on the tickle
should be scratched unhesitatingly
and no appeal to Vote the whole
ticket so as to save the party should
be needed, If the Independent vo>
ter will reject all dictatioa on the
part of the bosses, and without mer.
cy scratch from the ticket the name
OF every bad man, and every good
name put there unfairly, he will
soon teach the leaders a lesson
which they will be wise enough to
follow. sssa III
But this in itself will not be
enough to entirely cure the evil
The famous spoils system must be
broken up, and men must no longer
be appointed to or removed from
office because of the demands OF {
party. Laws must be enacted by
which incompetent men will be eX.
cluded from official positions; and
etlclent officers be retained a def.
nite time through all changes of ad.
ministratioD. These reforms, like
all others will not come uncalled
and can be brought about only BY
the most persistent efforts Politi
cal rings will not favor them, but
on the contrary, will do all they
can TO prevent heir adoption. But
the people themselves are sufficient
TO effect the desired reformation
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ae., tn. C4aao. hatia x.,lf;,