Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-10-16

~.;tcasler f,,telligencet.
MONDAY EVENING. OCT. 10. 1882.
The Machine and Its Power.
Few persons not intimately acquaint-
= ed with the ins and outs of political
management have anything like a cor
rect idea of what constitutes that i'm
mense power in the public affairs of this
state known as the Republican machine
It is generally known that there exists
a ring of more or less influential profes-
sional politicians, with headquarters
alternately at Harrisburg, Washington
and Philadelphia, which controls and
directs the organization of the party,
names its leading candidates, conducts
its battles and divides its spoils. The
rami6cations of this combination, how.
ever, the number OF it's trained and
Obedient servants and its methods of
work are profound mysteries to most
people.
The controlling principle with the
machine, and that which makes it tre-
mendous power, is self-interest. 1t is a
combination of selfish men, actuated
one and all by selfish motives. 1t cares
nothing for public policy, party integri-
ty or consistency; its one object is to
retain, indefinitely, the vast power AMI
multitude of Offices now and for long
time past under its control. In every
battle it is lighting for self-preservation,
and every member of it makes direct
personal application of this fact to him.
self and acts accordingly. Its vigilance
is sleepless. Its energy is untiring. 1t
never takes unnecessary risks and is
never satisfied with anything less than
absolute certainty of success. 1t some
times quarrels with itself-but always
to itself, and not in the face of the
enemy. InsGbordination of that char
acter is quickly and effectively stamped
out, aud the machine army marches
along, with closed lines, as one man.
Thus it is moving to-day in support Of
the Cameron Beaver ticket.
The basis of this corps of oflicclolders
and their dependents, and the right wing
and centre Of this army. consists of the
federal public servants, of whom there
are to-day in Pennsylvania about ten
thousand, over eight thousand of these
belonging to the postal department
alone, the balance being distributed
amongst the customs, internal revenue
and judicial departments. Next in nu-
merical strength come the place. men in
about twO-thlrds of the counties of the
state, now under Republican admins
tion this force of experienced hench-
men, from sheriff to township assessor,
numbering not less than two thousand.
Then follow the hired '' workers - IN all
the Republican cities and towns of the
state, holding positions, from mayor to
amp-lighter, all of whom must render
a good account OF themselves, and who,
at this time, number two thousand out
side of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh,
now under Democratic reform mayors.
Lastly tire state government, through its
various departments, furnishes a contin-
gent of very active and thoroughly efli-
cient practical politicians numbering
about four hundred.
Here, then, is an army of place-men
over fourteen thousand strong, each man
In position to control from three to six
active adherents, relatives and friends
personally interested in his retaining
his place. Every man knows his place
in the fight, knows what is expected of
him and does the work assigned him
with zeal and efficiency. He is ready
to obey every order before it is given.
He knows the politics and the
political inclinations of every mal
in his immediate neighborhood, and
constitutes himself a machine missionary
to make votes. He begins early ard
works late. He takes off his coat in
May or June and don't put it on until
the votes are counted and returned i,
November, for there is often work to do
after the polls close and if contests
arise the machine man knows what is
expected of him and does not hesitate to
do it.
This is the power that is now enlisted
and struggling with desperation to save
itself from disasterous rOut this is the
organized force that confronts the pac.
pie of the state who are not Office holders
and who desire to reform the admins
tration Of the state government. These
are the men who are now to he hung and
drawn and Guartered.
THERE is no mistaking the meaning
of the demonstrations that greeted the
Democratic candidate at every point of
his journey up through the Lehigh and
Wyoming valleys last week. Such cor
diality and enthusiasm as were mani.
tested in communities where Controller
Pattison had no personal following or
acquaintance imply what has all along
been patent TO keen observation, and
that is, the people throughout the state
are not to he swayed by personal feeling
in the determination of the overshadOw
ing issue that has forced itself upon
them. Reform and good government are
the battle cry with which the Democracy
have entered upon this contest,
ooI THAR oo,,I;6ofo I,,>o,. ,