Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-03-01
AN Old QUESTION NEWLY DEBATED.

An Old QUESTION NEWLY DEBATED.
In the North american Reyielg Henry
George has paper on the use of money in
elections. There is an absence of the in
genuity that usually characterizes the
papers of this versatile and capable writer,
who has the courage to speak his convic-
tions. Instead of Analysing the political
question, he bemoans the undenied cor
ruption, and exhibits very strongly his
partisan feeling. The subject is trite one,
but the opportunity was afforded him for
handling it in new and interesting man.
ner. Mr.. George recites that large sums
are spent to secure Offices that return in.
adequate rewards; that in agricultural
districts, as well as in city wards, votes are
openly on the market that in some Sec
tions the vote of an entire district is for
sale, and that these practices are sadly
demoralizing. OF all this every one was
before aware, and by his statements Mr..
George adds nothing to the impressiveness
of the facts. We look in vain through his
essay for a remedy for the evil that is
worthy 10 De considered as a corrective.
That our system brings money into politics
is true that rich men, with no other
qualifications, aspire to political honors, is
true that ring managers select the heads
of tickets, and that voters have little choice
save as between these, is true. All this,
if it needed to be told, we
had from the scholarly and forcible
Professor Winchell month prior
to Mr.. George, on the same page
he now fills, and in manner that was
forcible and effective marked contrast
to the very ordinary effort now under con-
sideration. Before either Winchell or
George, the press of the country had thor
oughly discussed the subject. In this
journal it has been 2 topic upon which we
have earnestly and frequently dwelt. The
country lacks nothing in the line of infor-
nation as to the uses of money in politics
and the serious menace that use constitutes
to republican institutions. Prof. Winchell
points out what he believes a specific for
the ills, in limitation of the right of suf-
frage to the virtuous and intelligent. Mr.
George, on the contrary, would apply a
lotion that may alleviate, but cannot be
deemed remedial. His plan is, in short, to
throw some additional safeguards about the
secresy of the ballot to assure the indie
pendence of the voter to have all ballots
printed by the State, and these to contain
the names of all candidates as registered
officially by all who desire to "run +" for
Office; to prohibit torchlight and other po-
litical professions; to punish for intro
ducing the grog-shop into politics to
have halls for public political discussions
furnished by towns and precincts for use of
candidates at cost. This synopsis fairly
covers the essential features of his entire
plan, which is not original las several of
its features have been tried by different
countries, as he points QUIT, and which,
while containing valuable suggestions,
does not probe the political sore to the bot.
tom, or promise healing. As between
the plans of Winchell and George, that of
the former is far preferable. 1t strikes at
the root of the evil, and the only question
at all deeply involved in it, perhaps, is one
of accomplishment. But Mr.. George sug.
gests methods for avoidance and defeat by
the interruptions, and means for the con-
duct of campaigns and elections, to be de.
feated by the forces that make political
management business. In short, Mr..
Georges paper is but reindictment for
old offenses, with the counts formulated in
style little more lugubrious than usual.
In so far as the paper invites to and aggra-
Yates public discussion of this important
question it has value, for out of its consid-
Grafton by the thinking masses we shall see
arise, sooner or later, a system that will
abolish the abuses which unquestionsbly ex.
ist, for we are by no means disposed to
join in the croaking of Mr.. George and his
fellow-proFhets, that we are driving
toward oligarchy and Cesarism in a new
FORM" We have ulcers on the body poll.
tic and evils that must be corrected but
republican form of government will rise
equal to them and democracy be pre-.
served, or else our civilization is failure.