Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-05-25


party comprised, as this great organic
alton, of thinking men, unless united bv
some great issue, are likely to chafe I'M
der the harness, be it ever SO lightly
worn The outrageous claims and I'M
warranted actions of the Conklings and
the Camerons during the past few years
have probably done much to heighten
the feeling and arouse in the party u
spirit Of resistance which, like unrea-
soning bodies generally, commences
threshing about downing innocent and
guilty alike.
Yet the evils which are comprised UNI
der the head Of that one word are not so
much the result of taking on the part of
the office holder as giving on the side of
the people. In many instances the PEG
pie themselves are directly responsible
for system that places the men of am
bition in the anomalous position of for
tifying themselves for the next election
before the votes are officially counted in
the first.
In the earlier days of the republic the
representatives in Congress who served
their constituents faithfully and with
ability gave no thought to matters per-
tanning to,their return. Their wholeitime
was devoted to affairs of state, confident
that if their place was there that their
constituents would attend to their re-
turn. As result the earliest sessions of
the national Legislature were marked
by great brilliancy and exceptionally
high standing. Members were returned
year after year until they became a pow
er in the nations council
Especially was this true of the south
ern states before the war, when the lit
tie knot of members from south of Ma
son and DiXon's line returned year after
year to their seats, controlled the Dem
ocratic party, and through it the nation,
and this when, in point Of numerical
strength. they were in alarge minority.
To-day the state of affairs is changed.
The constant crowding upward of new
men has brought about a mad scramble
for place. i'll which all but the most act
i've 90 TO the wall. Hardly has an Off
cial been seated in his place before a
dozen are hard at work intriguing to
Dust him at the next election. The mass
of the people, ever careless in political
matters, listen readily to the voice of
the charmer, and presto, the honest Of
ticcr, who has. been attending not to the
caucuses but TO his duty as u represent
ative of the people finds himself set one
side Just rs his work has begun in ear
nest. to make room for his sharper ri
val.
To the honestly ambitious man there
is but one road. lie must fight the devil
with lire. He must out caucus the eau
cuser He must devote his time to find
ing places for his constituents rather
than finding ways and means for adj
Nancing the interests OF the nation. And
thus has grown up the spoils system,
fer which the people are principally and
directly responsible
President White, IN an article in the
North American Review, on this system.
says he was visiting a friend, member
of the house of representatives. when 4
question of great national importance
was coming up. and White asked him
why he did not make a careful study of
the problem and "a speech that will
give honor 70 your state and profit to
the country" Foranswer the member
the member opened the drawer of his
desk. which was crammed with letters.
saying, There is the reason l cannot.
That is the mornings mail and nine
teuths of it is made up of letters from
people who expect me to pnt them in
Office or keep them in Office" and the
speaker well knew that his own official
position depended entirely upon how
well he executes these behests.
Yet, again, Of these applicants TWEEN
~ or perhaps fifty for each office. only
one can reach the promised goal. and
the remainder, disappointed, join the
ranks of the malcontents and raise the
cry of boSsism coupled with wild tales
of the mental and moral deprayity of the
unfortunate person who has been the
unwilling cause of their disappointment
and chagrin.
The whole system is wrong. outrage
ouSly 50. and it is the people themselves
who must right it. When district Is
represented by man Of marked ability
and a man who is leader among his
fellow men. who reflects honor not only
ON his district but upon the state al
large, return him without stopping ia
listen TO the slanderouS whisperings OF
some aspiring local politician whose
wits are nj work manufacturing smut
with which to dello the fame of him who
is busy watching the interests Of the
people. Each term in state or national
legislature adds influence and power 10
the legislator Only in this manner can