The Portland daily press., 1883-09-11
The Massachusetts Independents

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The Massachusetts, Independents.
In Massachusetts, there is a large body
of men who hold themselves ready to
vote In such way as will advance certain
causes they have much at heart irrespective
OF their general party relations. By far the
larger part of this body is composed of men
whose sympathies are with the Republican
party, and who have commonly acted with
that party. Few Democrats have ever OPEN
ly protested to be Independents, but there
are few, like Leverett Saltonstall, who
since General Butler corralled the Demo
cratic party of that State, voters and organ
ization, have asserted their personal indie
pendence
This body of Independent voters is not
composed of the same individuals from year
to year. Sometimes men act with it who
at other times are in the party caucuses and
support the regular nominations, but a too
obnoxious manipulation of the caucuses and
conventions, too severe pressure of the
party machinery, the nomination of candi-
dates whose fidelity to the reform move
ments the Republican party is expected to
carry forward is suspected, are sure to pro-
duce revolt likely to result in defeat at
the polls. These men care very little for
Republican victory, as such, unless 1t
means something more than the defeat of
the Democratic party. They are sometimes
willing to defeat the Republican party
simply as |. disciplinary measure when they
hope for no positive gain by electing Dem
ocrat. Probably few Republicans who yot-
ed for Mr.. Morse last year had any conf
dence in Mr.. Morse as genuine friend of
reform; but Mr.. Bowman had done things
which they would not condone. He had
sneered at the civil service reform move
ment and had made himself particularly
obnoxious by his zeal in behalf of Collector
Worthington. He was renominated, but on
election day he was buried very deep. In
another district similar thing happened,
but by different method. Congressman
Gambler was serving his first term, having
long aspired to obtain the office. He chose
TO snub the reform sentiment in the party
and to train with the scoffers. He thought
1t safe to support Mr.. Warrington, and
wrote an impertinent letter to reform
club. He controlled the machinery in his
district, and his denomination was a fore
gone conclusion. A few Republicans con-
suited together and asked Mr. Theodore
Lyman, Republican, to stand as eandi-
date. He consented. The Democrats made
no nomination and Mr.. Lyman was elected.
In the campaign against General Butler.
now impending, it has become an interest
ing question what these voters who ac-
knowledge no obligation to support man
because he obtains the party nomination
will do. These men are not sneaks;
they do not stab in the back, they
do not preach fealty to party AMI
secretly intrigue to cut the throats of men
they do not like. They make known what
they want and what they intend to do under
possible conditions in an open, manly, hon
orable fashion. They give fair notice of
what will be satisfactory to them and what
VIII not. In advance of the conventions
they have already had an open conference
In Boston at which more than 200 persons
were present and they have issued an ad-
dress the meaning of which need not be
misunderstood by anybody. They are OPP
posed not only to Butler but to Butlerism.
TO the whole scheme of corrupt, dishonora-
BILE, and delusive politics of which he is but
one illustration. They want to be rid OF the
thing as well as of the man, and they give
notice to all parties that they are in earnest
and will act up to their convictions. They
may be considered wise or foolish, but their
ways are not mean ways.
1t is common to hear much railing at
men who profess independence in politics,
and openly declare that they will not be
bound by party action. The truth is that
those who do the railing are on occasion
quite as independent as the others, only
they are not so courageous. Let a man
they do not like, or one whom they think
inirnical to their plans, be put in nomination
and they know how to compass his defeat
The party vote will fall off in mysterious
ways In spite of their protests and apparent
ly vigorous efforts. Butler was elected in
Massachusetts last Fall by the votes of Re-
publlcans OF the school who filled the air
with condemnation of other Republicans
who refused to vote for Bowman and Cand-
Ter. There are two kinds of political indie
pendence, that which has a reason which
those who are actuated by it are not
ashamed to profess. and that which has no
reason which those who practice it will ac-
knowledge, the independence of convic-
ton and the independence of selfshness, the
independence of manliness and the indie
pendence of cowardice.