The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-01-26


tof of government heretofore nnd yctin
vogue boo tIiis country, Or prominent por'
tlons ~ u. aud known Uncommon pmlhnce
as "bUssism" is ono Of the worst ana most
disropuoblc features connected with our
public afnlrs. might naturally be OK
pcctcd ina monnrchical form Of govern.
mcnt or where intelligence was monopollled
by favored few, but It seems % thing IN
credible that 1t should exist here, and
still We see two or three Of our most
populous and powerful commonwealth,
owned, rs 1t were, but certainly controlled
by one man, or, at most, a small clique.
From their offices or palaces they issue
their odict,, 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, ill the offices of trust
real freedom of the masses is i'm
possible and their claim to such
Il 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 see of
late growing and powerful opposition
springlng up, and one that bids fair to put
u stop to such a 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,
I, 1, Oh pf
meDt and return to first principles The
candidacy of Mr.. Woolfe, in Pennsylvania,
last year, while in the matter
of votes unsuccessful was yet the first and
heaviest blow that has ever been leveled
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 n decided quetus has been
put upon Mr. Conking'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 eclipsed. Mr.. ex-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
ganization to the present time, it has been
lead and dominated by some party chief
tain, there is now witnessed an ipdepend-
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 so strongly to get rid OF
bossism 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 chief benefits arising from our polit-
ical system. Corruption has followed con-
stantly upon the footsteps of the bosses,
and legislation has been enacted with the
most shameless ei1rontery in the interests
only of the rich and influential following
of such men as Logan, Cameron, Conkllng,
Kelly, ct id omne genus. Our citizens
everywhere cannot be too jealous of the
powers conferred upon them as 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 a monarchical form
of government. 1t is a 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
a tendency 2 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 a large degree to the strong and still
growing European element in our midst,
but il should certainly be 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 utterances and
they were that of a King. few
more well directed blows by such
fearless and able opponents as
Mr.. Woolie and his party and the men who
conquered Conkling and those now fighting
Kelly, and the disgraceful power permitted
TO the bosses, will be handed back to the
proper authorities. 1t would be possible to
get rid oil the annoying factions and little
personal spites so prevalent in our politics
and so obstructive of needed reforms and
legislation, if 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 20 bravely and vigorously deserve
the thanks of the people, but 1t will, Of
course. require tho moral support Of those
bohind them, as well as time, to pull down
abuses, 50 admirably fortified by wealth
and patronage and long use Of the various
weapons Of political warfare
DEMANDING ATTENTION.
A short while since g was announced by
tie Associated Trc.s that Mr. Romero had
been solicited by President Gonzales, Of the
Mexican Republic 10 acccpt the appoint
mcnt Of Special Commissioner or Envoy 20
The United states, ior the purpose IS per
fainr treaty ofcommorcial character be-
tuccii our government aud that Of Mexico,
but whether tiie gentleman contemplate
aowptin- tiie mission b. not yet authorize
tir..y STATED. senior Romero j. a man q
intelligence and prominence, aud Nas
al oue time the representative o. bis
country at Washington. lie il a
warm personal fricnd ofueneral Grant and
many Distinguished citizens Of the United
IL - Il -. .----I-.Ilr and