The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-01-24
BOSS RULE DYING OUT.

ment or where intelligence was monopoll1ed
by favored few, but it seems Il thing in
credible that it should exist here, and
still we see two or three of our most
populous and powerful commonwealths,
owned, as it were, but certainly controlled
by one man, or, at most, small clique.
From their Offices or palaces they issue
their edicts, and political conventions and
popular assemblies obey without question
ing. The friends and puppets of these
bosses, without regard to merit or reward
for public service, fill the Offices of trust
and profit under the government, and the
real freedom of the masses is i'm
possible and their claim to such
n mere mockery. This state OF
affairs has existed VIGOROUSLY in Pennsyl-
vania, New York, Rhode Island and other
Eastern States, and to limited extent in
the South, but We are glad to sec Of
late a growing and powerful opposition
springng up, and one that bids fair to put
a stop to such regime. If individuals
from selfish motives, and who do not in one
case in ten, reflect the will Of the people, are
to manage affairs with despotic arrogance,
We had better change our form of govern
ment and return to first principles The
candidacy of Mr.. Woolfc, in Pennsylvania
last year, while in the matter
of votes unsuccessful was yet the first and
heaviest blow that has ever been leveed
against the Cameron influence, the auto
Gratis OF that great State. Since then the
opposition to the bossrule has been steadily
increasing in numbers and responsibility
and it is probable that the "one-man power
will be abrogated in the no distant future.
In New York a decided quietus has been
put upon Mr.. Conkling's tyrannical
and once all potent manipulation OF
his party in that State and
only few days since the household of Mr.
John Kelly became divided against itself,
and it looks as if his star is becoming
gradually eclipscd Mr. cx-Secretary Robe
son, of New Jersey, now in Congress, at
tempted to play the role of boss or leader in
the House, short time since, but without
meeting any very decided encouragement,
and even in that body, where from its or
ganlzltion to the present time, it has been
lead and dominated by some party chief.
tain, there is now witnessed an indepond-
ence not experienced before. This may be
IN part due, of course, to the absence of
any very great minds or powerful
names in the list of its members, but prin-
cipally we apprehend from the spirit now
asserting itself 50 strongly to get rid of
bosslsm or one,man power Intelligent
men and the masses are getting tired of
having their thinking done for them by
some one else, and being thereby deprived
of the chiet benefits arising from our polit.
zeal system. Corruption has followed con.
slantly upon the footsteps of the bosses.
and legislation has been enacted with the
most shameless cllrontery in the interests
only of the rich and influential following
of such men rs Logan, Cameron, ConkliEg.
Kelly, ct id omnc genus. Our citizens
everywhere cannot be too Jealous of the
powers conferred upon them us such, and
aside from the disastrous and questionable
practices actually attending upon the reign
of the boss, the drift is towards the centra.
lization of powers and monarchical form
OF government. 1t is u gratifying and
healthy phase of public sentiment that the
hold of these political princes upon their
formerly passive subjects, is becoming stead
lily weaker. 1t is unfortunate for the coun.
try at large that there is such
tendency in the times to consol.
idation, concentration of influences and
means in politics, industries finances, and,
indeed, all kinds of effort, This may be
due in large degree to the strong and still
growing European element in our midst,
but it should certainly DO fought against in
the interest of the masses, The very worst
shape it has ever taken with us of the
United states is this bossism, where
the seal has been placed upon the lips OF
millions by one man, whose utteranccs and
preferences have been needed as if
they were that of King. a few
more well directed blows by such
fearless and able opponents MS
Mr. Woollc and his party and the men who
conquered Con;linS and those now fighting
Kelly, and the disgracelul power permitted
to the bosses, will be handed back to the
proper authorities, 1t would Lc possible TO
get rid OF the annoying factions and little
personal spitcs so prevalent in our politics
and so obstructive of needed reforms and
legislation, il we had fewer of that class of
men who insist upon running the whole
governmental machinery in their own be-.
half The men who are making war upon
them 40 brovcly and vigorously deserve
the thanks of the people, but It will. of
course, require the moral support of those
bohind them, as well as time, to pull down
abuses, so admirably fortified by wealth
and patronage and long use of the various
weapons Of political warfare.
| --a----ks- - -4a-..-
JrDGE rouRGrr lccturcd at Cincinnati n
few evenings ago on that flower of Amcri.
can Sangdom, Give us Rest" The
distinguished author of "a Fools Errnnan