The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-10-22

SPOILS TIE BANE OF PAR TIES.
The state of politics in New York, with
Its forgeries, cOrruptiOns, aud utter lack of
principle, is only the natural result of the
long sway of the Spoils System since the
days of Aaron Burr. We can now see with
what sort of virus New York has infected
the rest of the Union, and into what plight
national politics must fall if no stop be put
to the demoralizing process. In the Repub-
lican ranks one set of placemen, under
Cornell, is beaten by another set of place
men under the control of the President and
still another set Of placemen left over from
Mr.. Garfield's time, represented by Collector
Robertson, after hesitatng between the two
factions of its former foes, il whipped into
the Administration traces by the fear Of
loss Of office. The only element left out in
this precious welter of low motives are the
decent and reforming Republicans repre-
sented by Curtis. On the Democratic side
the factions are just now at peace among
themselves and victory is assured. But
who can say that success will not be the
signal for fresh outbreak of the intermin-
able strife between TaInmany and anti-Tam-
many, heelers against heeers and bruisers
against bruisers, selfseeking and personal
interests being the only motive power recog
niled. Both parties in New York greatly
resemble Scotch armies, where every leader
comes into the field with his own body Of
sworn henchmen, equally ready to fight his
own side or the other as the passion seizes
him, and having for impelling object chiefly
the hope Of plunder. The worst OF It
is that there IL no hope Of any reform
short of complete change in the
constitution of parties, and the abrogation
Of the SpOils System by force law aud public
opinion. Some have thought that II John
Kelly could be gotten rid Of there would be
peace and decency in the Democratic ranks
very many think SO Of the opposite disturb
ing element, the superannuated Tilden. But
if Kelly and Tilden were both in their graves
the same troubles would remain. The Spoils
System breeds Tildens and Ksllys, aud their
cOunterparts in the Republican party, faster
than any natural process can remove them.
So long as the spoils OF Office are in full
view, hordes of freebOOters will De formed "a
usurp the name and control of the great
popular parties, and these hordes will easily
find " bosses" II one boss be removed
another springs up, who promises his fol
lowers a richer share in the booty to be-
gained, aud il popular in proportion to his
success as an Office broker, Occa siuually
the strife Of these Bread and Butter Brigade.
gets so bitter that they nullify each other
aud the mass of the party goes forward with
q nomination like that Of Cleveland, aud
easily wins the election, But treachery and
detection are always imminent, even when
as in the case OF General Hancock, Presi-
dental election is to De lost by them. 1t il
be hoped that the day is dawning Of an era
that will make Cornells, " stSye Z" Trenches
Robertsons, Kellys, Tildens, and all that
ilk alike impossible, by putting out Of thei'
clutch those spoils OF Office on which they
subsist. For the present we can only ezuli
in the sure defeat Of ticket nominated by
such methods as those Of the Saratoga Con
vention.