The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-10-27
INDEPENDENCE IN POLITICS.

1t is certainly gratifying to the AD-
VANCE to see all around indications Of
that independence in politics which we
have asserted for some years, rs our
readers we'll know. In county politics
especially We havs fought steadily for
independence and against the binding
force of packed conventions and the
lash Of the ''machine." We have as
serted that the caucus and delegate
convention system Of the Republican
party was its curse, and that the pri-
mary election system was the true one
for selecting candidates for either
party. Now we notice that the Far
mer's Alliance, which met recently in
Chicago, declared against nominating
conventions and in favor of a direct
vote of the members of the patty in
making nominations. We notice also
that the Pioneer-Press endorses this
resolution of the Alliance. The AID.
VANCE declared also III favor Of indie
pendent candidates, that is, Of indepen-
dent announcements by the candidates
themselves, and we are gratiied to SEE
more of this III the surrounding coun-
ties and also III the larger fields Of
State politics. But on this point, both
for an example and for vigorous COM
ment on independence Of the machine,
we cannot do better than to quote the
following from the st. Paul Pioneer
Press:
There is trouble abroad in the most
submissive and boss-ridden State Of the
Union. Don Cameron has a positive
genius for keeping in good repair and
running order the serviceable machine
which his father bequeathed to him,
but occasionally even his astute tactics
cannot avoid the imminent danger OF
a breakdown. Pennsylvania politics
are rendered interesting reading 10y the
course Of Mr.. Wolfe, an energetic and
thoroughly independent Republican,
who has announced himself as Il candi.
date for the office of state treasurer.
and is making Il lively ca. vass. On
general principles there is nothing rep
rehensible about this; on the contrary,
it IS an eminently healthful sign, indi-
eating All exercise Of individual iudg-
ment and a reliance upon popular sym
pathy which may do much to dissipate
the corruption bred Ivy political sta na-
tlon. Well.meaning people, really
anxious for good government, are TOO
apt to consider nowadays that i; man
who comes before them as Il candidate
for office by any other means than that
OF securing a certain number of eau
cuses and thereby becoming the "regu-
lar" nominee of regular PARTY. is
guilty Of a heinous crime. They forget
that parties are but conveniences for
more readily expressing the concrete
will Of the people, ard that when they
fail or refuse to de- this, they are wor.
thy OF no more respect than 4 wOrnnut
steam engine, unable to Garry passengers
to their destination. The bold action
of appeal by An individual from the de-
cision of a party convention to the de-
cision Of the people is, III itself, inli-
rect evidence that such appeal can be
justified. For were it otherwise, tie
ridicule attached to his position would
be worse than his inevitable over.
whelmin2 defeat; and Mr.. Wolfe does
not appear, in the past. Il fit target for
either ridicnle or abuse Mr.. Wolfe de-
serves the hearty good wishes of all
who are opposed to the depotism Of the
machine and strOng-man theory Of
government. Independents are very
numerous just now. and they will be
glad to hear Pennsylvania give Il good
account of him.