The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-07-08
OUR TROUBLES AND THEIR REM
EDIES

A notable feature of a recent issue of the
n. y. Herald, is thoughtful, passionless
and thorough discussion of the disturb
ing clements of our politics and of the
relations between labor and capital. It's
standpoint is that of an impartial observ-
er vino looks down on the passing excite
ments of factional strifes and labor
strikes, from the same high position that
will be occupied by the historian of these
interesting, but disturbed, times. 1t
asks:
Is there a State in the Union, from
Naine to California. where party politics
are not disappointing by dissatisfaction
with boss ruleo' Is there State where
the relations of labor and capital are per-
fectly tranquil?
The answer to these questions are in
evitable, and can be given by anybody
who reads the daily newspaper, even in
the most cursory manner. And the
reasons given by our esteemed contemp-
orary for the unnatural and dangerous
condition of our politics and industrial
interests, North and South, are worth
noting by the men of all parties and sec
tons, viz:
Party politics have fallen under the
control of men against whom the voters
are striking. because neither party is
honest and brave enough to advocate
genuine remedy for the disorders and
~, III Il
taxation and revenue and to make fidelity
to that remedy the test OF its member
ship. When a party believes in nothing
and seeks for nothing but offices and
their emoluments, its politics become
boss politics as a matter of course.
Industrial interests have got into their
present confusion, of which the strikes
of workngmen and lockouts of employ
crs in the North and the migration of
agricultural laborers in the South are
symptoms, precisely for want of the in
telligent legislation and the good admin
istration which can only be had by re-
formation of party politics. The need of
reform is as great in State politics and
State legislation as it is in Federal politics
and Federal legislation.
This, we believe, is Il correct diagnosis
of the disease whose symptoms are con-
tinually growing worse, and wise rene
dy for an unnatural condition of affairs.
But the remedy will not be applied until
the business men of the country learn
that it is an essential part of their duty
as business men-and entirely outside of
their responsibilities as patriotic citizens
to throw the whole weight of their in
iluence, as individuals and IA organized
masses. in behalf of economical admins
tration of all our forms of government;
of reforms on the basis of simplicity,
jnstiae and equality of reduced taxation;
of primary elections regulated and pro
tected by law: Of actual and practical
civil Service Reform.
Whenever or National, State and mu-
nicipal governments are administered on
strict business principles, the occupation
of "spoilsmen " will be gone and "boss-
es - will be supplanted by statesmen and
leaders; the laws of trade will regulate
production. and no such artificial crisis
as that which is now disturbing the iron
industry will array labor against capital;
| Justice and common sense will regulate
! the relations between the two races in the
! South, and peace, order and prosperity
will reign all over the land. When the
business brains OF the .ountry get con-
troll of the government, we shall find out
for the first time, how wisely framed was
the government established by the
| Fathers, and bow surely its foundations
rest ON the laws Of God and of HUMAN
nature.