The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-08-01
Columbus Enquirer July4l
Improving Oar HBnd Politics.

AmprOving Oar RBnd HDOHaaIca
1t strikes us that there is manifest disposition
| upon the part Of the people TO improve our bad
| politics. This is shown more in the tone of con-
versation than in any substantial way 1t is ac-
| tions which speak louder than words and there
is but one way to raise the political standard of
any party. This is through the people and
when the respectable well-tO-d0 citizen takes
The same interest in shaping political affairs,
| win the same untiring activity that the poiti-
cian takes In 1t, then may We confidently look
for radical reform in this direction There are
men who follow politics from different motives
some Tor the purpose of securing the emOu-
mcnts attached thereto, others for the purpose of
enjoying the excitement connected with the
captivating game. In either event it forbOdes no
good to the party, nor To the general interest of
the country. There is no use in attempting to
disguise the fact that We have among us machine
politicians, but they not by any manner of
means IN The majority, and all that is necessary
TO securing for them back seats is for those who
leel an interest in the good that is TO result from
an honest administration of government affairs
TO step to the front. When this is the case. and
our political system, or be better represented in
our national, State and county affairs. Conven
tons have been much abused as the source of
schlsms rings, cliques and general dissatisfaction
In the result of nominations, but we have vet TO
hear OF the first convention where the dissatis.
iactlon was not traceable directly to disap-
pointed candidate The candidates cause all the
dlssension, and all the trouble and all the bck-
erings that may arise, and the people, not the
candidates, suffer by the evil effects therefrom
few men place themselves before the public
ana arrogate themselves to be the only proper
persons Tor any consideration by the public and
assume to prescribe the people as to whom they
shall make their nominees These be the ma
chime men over whom it may be well TO keep a
close watch
But The one interesting question is how to get
the best class 0f citizens to take an active part in
politics and how to infreei the r.n.rIe ssarnraIIy
in political affairs. 1t seems that it is useless TO
tell them that they ought TO do so; that eternal
vigilance is the price of good government; that
the stream of legislation will rise no higher than
the reservoir of opinion in nominating conven-
tons. Every one will admit that the people are
tHS pi'pCi ohOS W Jul pohtICS, DuL lHc
question is getting them to do it. We all know
that there is not the least bit of trouble in CATCH
ing birds by putting salt on their tails but how
to salt the tails is the unansweTable problem
Ii is worth the while to inquire why this state
of affairs exists Can il be that the intelligent
citizens of the country feel no interest in the
election of such candidates as are too often NOM
mated Perhaps this is true. Then let there
be reform in the matter of nominations. Let
no man be selected who requires 10 be constantly
apologizcd for and whom business men fear to
trust We have men in the State, in the dis
tricts, in the counties, who are above reproach,
able, competent and are in full sympathy with
the Democratic party, its principles and Organi-
zatien- men worthy 10 fill any official position
within the gift of The people then, from among
these men let the Democratic nominees be Sc
lcctcd When we consider the circumstances
We are moi surprised that some men do not take
an active interest in politics, but the remedy for
the evils complained of is in their own hands
II is mol likely they will feel an interest in the
subject until real issue of commanding interest
is presented, and men i'm whom they have con-
fdence rally around it for principles sake If
there be no other ISSUE let there he one of NOM
mailing The best men in the party, regardless Of
all personal preferences or personal obligations