The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-08-12
A Tottering and Doomed Party.

In bold defiance of-public opinion and
OF common decency, the Republicans
load honors and responsibilities upon
Sccor Robson. He is second on the
Committee of Appropriations. second
on Naval Affairs, and Chairman ON
Naval Expenditures. These selections
were made by himself. for himself and
his confederates.
Recently the Republican caucus
created what may be called Commit
tee OF Control to determine the meas
ures he majority should consider at this
session, giving priority to the election
cases. which are intended to strengthen
the hands of the jobbers by seating
sca'awags and notorious adventures.
Secor Robson, though not ostensibly
the Chairman of this new and important
cc9-4nittee, is actually its manager. The
meetings are held at his house. He
pulls the wires; he engineers the ma
chinery; and he virtually, by reason of
this power, unseen to the public and I'M
known to the rules of the House, directs
the subjects of legislation. He controls
the Speaker in the chair, and he runs
the caucus in secret.
There are many upright Republicans
who have grown FESTIVE under this dis
reputable leadership, and who feel Ign
selves personally compromised in fol-
lowing it. But they want the courage to
break loose and to make an open declar-
alton of independence. Party discipline
is an memorable master that tolerates no
free will or honest difference of opinion.
1t demands absolute submission to a
vulgar and corrupt domination.
This year promises a powerful shock
to bossism. The open and formidable
revolt in Pennsylvania against the long
endured tyranny of low class of poll
ticians, destitute of intellect and of
high qualities, and dependent on patron
age, corruption and base bargaining for
success, signifies that the accounts be-
tween the people and the Rings are to
be settled.
Successful revolution in Pennsylvania
means the disruption of the Republican
party. This has only been heretofore
prevented by the blunders of its oppo-
nents. That party has had no hold on
the confidence of the country since the
death of Mr.. Lincoln. 1t has survived
the greatest of crimes, held together by
bayonets, by the Treasury, by frauds
and by patronage.
After twenty years of continued pos
session of power, the Republican organ
ization stands before the country with
out protested principle to claim favor,
rent by war of factions. loaded down
with discredit, and led by gang of
corrupt creatures like Secor Robson,
who has grown rich by rascality.
This close corporation lives becauscit
has possession of power, obtained in
1876 by fraud and by force. Without it
the death of the party would be certain
and speedy. That vast power is abused
through the enormous operations of the
Treasury; through the great contracts of
the Government; through the machinery
of courts; through the Internal Revenue
agencies; through the Custom Houses
and post-offices; through standing
army of a hundred thousand offices;
through promotions, promises and APP
pointnents; and through Executive
pressure in a thousand ways.
The end of n system which breeds
bossism and which creates an oligarchy
of desperate and venal politicians is not
far off, if the opposition be at all wise
for once. The Robesons, the Camerons,
the Logans. and the machine-made lead
ersgenerally have seen their best DAYS.
Their downfall is inevitable
The hostility of the Half Breeds to
the Stalwarts is rot concealed even by a
thin veil. The loss of power will never
be forgiven. The many millions which
Blaine and his followers expected to
pocket have vanished into thin air. The
Landreau and other jobs have failed by
exposure. The Blaine Ring has lost its
grip on the Treasury. All outs are re-
formers by profession. Hence, Blaine,
the most conspicuous jobber produced
by our politics, is full-Hedged reform
er, and is so commended by Senator
Mitchell of Pennsylvania, who opposes
the other machine!-N. Y. San.