The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-24
WAKE UP,

AAE W.
The campaign is on, on everywhere and
the first skirmishes of the great battle of
1884 are to be determined within two weeks.
What Ohio and Iowa and New York and
Massachusetts, shall do will very largely
shape and define the work for next year.
Fortunately or otherwise the people of In
diana as a State are but lookers-on in Wen
ma in this contest yet lookers-on with the
general interest of citizens of the nation, the
political future of which is so identified with
the struggles in the States we have named
But while Indianians are but spectators
upon State contests, there is yet duty near
at home for the citizens of Indianapolis, at
least and one the proper discharge of which
more nearly concerns them than do these
seemingly more important and more excit-
ting elections. 1t has always been marvel,
and, so long as it remains as it is, will al
ways be the danger point in the
ever-pressing problem of municipal govern
ment, that while every voter is aroused to
the whitehead point in presidential cleo
ton, the outcome of which affects him and
his interests more remotely than any other,
there comes an apathy upon the voting
body which increases in degree just in the
proportion that the election increases in
vital Importance. The election which most
nearly concerns and affects the citizen and
taxpayer is the municipal election, yet it is
just that election which receives the slightest
consideration, and at which the smallest
number of votes is polled. Interest enhances
and the aggregate of the ballot enlarges just
as the election becomes less personal and
more general. How to remedy this, and in
vert the ratio, is the problem in municipal
government which engages the wisest minds
of the country.
Two weeks from tomorrow the people and
taxpayers of Indianapolis are to decide
the personal and political complexion of
their municipal government for two years.
and yet those most deeply and directly in
terested in the result appear to be the most
Indifferent. The bummers, the ward work
ers," the men who are permitted to make
living out of politics. so-called, because of the
apathy and indifference of better men, those
who in anyway can see the opportunity to
make something out of the city administra-
tion-those classes, their friends and allies
are all alert and their stakes are set for the
work of election day. But the men of prop
erty and character the men who pay taxes
the men who work hard all day to build up
their homes and give added comfort year by
year to their families, the men out of whose
pockets must and does come every dollar of
revenue to be either we'll and economically
or badly and prodigally spent, are
iii great degree utterly indifferent. Two
years ago an unprincipled and lawless COM
bination carried the township OF Center SIM
ply because 500 voters living north of
Washington street remained at home and
allowed the election to go by default. In
the presence of such absenteeism any kind
and amount of misadministration and posi-
tive maladministration becomes possible, and
becomes certain just as the absenteeism be-
comes large and permanent. Voting is a
without danger to the community; that man
belongs to the dangerous classes" who, by
his neglect of the fundamental duty of
American citizenship, permits bad men to
get into office, allows bad administration to
be possible, and exposes both his
own and his neighbors' property
to the spoliation of unprincipled men.
We have no purpose here to go into Details
and to say that this ticket or that ticket is the
best, or that this party or that party is the
best Our purpose simply is to throw out
few suggestions for the thought of every
honest and candid man. be his political affili-
ations what they may. When the great body
of the people is aroused, when there is full
vote polled, when men go into public office
and remain in public Office in the face of
thoroughly aroused constituency, there is
little danger. What is wanted is for every
man to be ready for the discharge of his duty
at the polls, to carefully consider the effect
of his vote before he casts it, and then to cast
it. In full and intelligent ballot is there
the surety of an honest and satisfactory gov
eminent.
A Lost Woman.
There is young man in Brooklyn who can