The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1882-05-02
The Independent Vote.

IN an article on tlle pISSoub COh~
dition of the two great political
parties, Carl Schurz, in the North
American Review, takes p very
fair view of the growing iglport-
ance of the independent vote, Of
that unknown factor in the politi-
cal problem, and concludes by
saying:
The continuous existence of the
two parties is therefore no proof
of any exuberance of vitality in
them. They are held together in
their present condition in q great
measure by a certain uis inertia
which is, and may for some time
remain, sufficiently strong TO re-
sist the centrifugal tendency. Nor
is the fact that the two parties are
on their good behavior in itself
certain guarantee that they will
behave WELL. The natural tendency
of the machine interest III them
is rather in the direction OF the
exploitation of political power for
the self ends Of persons or cliques.
But something Of value may be
accomplished if strong aud intel
ligent influences from without are
exerted with Judgment and en-
ergy to encourage and strengthen
the best elements within the Or
ganizs;ions. And for this the
present condition OF politics seems
to present the usual opportunities
Neitherofthetwo partiescommands
a majority of the popular vote.
Both are minority parties Of nearly
equal organized strength. Both
depend for success upon the aid
of clements which belong to
neither. And both are we'll aware
Of this. To turn such situation
10 advantage for tho public goed
will be, in s great :aeasure, the
task of the ";ndepandent voter,''
who has O; late made himself ielt,
and grown % the estate Of !. dis
t;nct political force. In using this
term, We mean 10 designate those
patriotic aud public-spirited citi,
zens to whom it is of greater inter.
est that the affairs Of the govern
ment be well conducted than
what set Of men conducts them.
This element has its greatest
strength among those who do not
make politics business, but deem
it their duty to take an active
part in political movements when
ever an important object is to be
attained for the public good
They are nor enlisted in any oi
the factions struggling for power
and patronage, but are inclined to
oppose them all in turn as the
public interest may require it
They are without permanent Or
gsnization, but occasionally FIND
themselves together for com.
mon effort, as the duties OF the
day may call them ou;. Their in.
fuence has so lar been practically
more of negative than a posi-,
rive character. While they have
not been able to accomplish thc
nomination and election for higI
place OF the mer they would Sc
lect, tLey have rendered effective
aid in preventing the elevation {,
power Of men they considered
especially objectionable. They
have further succeeded in nrgins
upon the attention Of the people
and thereby Of politicians ant
parties, measures Of reform the
considered especially important
They are always willing to con
slider whether defeat or victor
OF that OF any OTHER party woult
best serve the public objects the
nave in view, and TO act according
iy. They are, as "impracticabl
heorists," very unpopular wit
the practical politicians" bu
usually much in demand when th
day OF voting comes. The reasol
is, that while they cannot contro
the organizations, they can occa
sionally decide an election, and a
the power Of party allegiance aut
discipline grows generally weaker
their influence upon publi
opinion grows stronger.