Omaha daily bee., 1883-04-03
VOTING.

The tickets nominated by the dem
ocratic and republic ii parties for city
off GERS indicate more clearly than the
most labortd demons ration the me-
cessity Of non.partisan voting In mu.
nicipal elections. 1t Ia safe to say
that three.qusrters of the Intelligent
voters of both political parties to-day
will refuse to vote what Is called a
straight ticket. Many of the very
men who r bowling ~theilouiest for
party loyalty and strict adherence to
the wishes Of the people--as shown In
the political conventions be
found among the sc eatchers.'
We believe a majority of the
nominees themselves will OK.
ercise their own judgment in ballot.
ing. Ga the other hand the men who
can be bought by q drink, bribed by q
dollar or bulldozed BY fear or favor
will vote straight and glory in their
principles"
1t IL o fact that municipal elections
are more subject to oorrupting in
~fuences than state CT national con-
tests. The struggle for party Offices
Is narrowed down to q more con-
trscted field. The public to be ap.
pealed to Is smaller, and the ward
caucus and primary offer more
ready inducements to the arts Of the
small bore politician and the trafioel
In influence and votes. The element,
which most directly affect unfavorably
the welfare of communities have nc
personal interest In the selection Of o
state executive and still less In the
choice Of q president. The corner
groggeries and the dsgo dens, the low
down dives and the lashy gambling
bells, keepers Of disreputable houses
and men to whom ell law Is Q threat
and q good government q stand.
Ing menace, care much more
who represents their ward In the
next council than who secures q
seat from Nebraska In the Uni:
cd States senate. And so where
party lines are strictly drawn, and
party machinery promises to push tc
o successful election the nominees o
the primary and the convention
Every irAuence is used as it can. no.
where else be used by the criminal and
law defying elements Of the oommu
nifty to secure the election Of men who
will at least give assurance that they
vii not enforce the law against law
breakers.
There has never been an important
reform in municipal governmentexcep
by an open or secret union Of citizen.
on q non-partisan basis. The ma
jority Of mayors who have secured
their election because they have
pledged themselves to reform existing
abuses, have gained theif Office a. the
result of the independent spirit among
voters. The councils and boards Of al.
dermen who have shown the greatest
Efficiency and wisdom in building up 9
olty's credit and In pushing her devel
opment without Gripping the treasur!
or b~ankruptipg taxpayers have rarely
been elected by dominant party
The Tweed regime In New York wa
overthrown a. much by the votes o.
outraged democrats as by the efforts o
indignant republicans. The oarniva
of jobbery in Philadelphia unde
the rule of Boss Names was end
cd by q hearty union Of mortified
republicans and earnest democrats
And to-day In Chicago q combination
Of the best mon of both political par
ties ID doing Its best TO snow unde
. mountain Of ballots . democrat
! mayor and . democratic ticket VIII
represent the worst elements Of til
community and are endeavoring I
perpetuate Q government In whic
crime and drunkenness and debaucl
cry receive practical immunity fro
the laws.
6 If the same spirit prevails In Omal
In the election which Is now progress
Ing q ticket can be elected which W
do honor to the city. Neither of Il
Q states presented by the conventio,
will be or ought to be elected. But
g Is of the highest Importance that 4
successful candidates shall be pick
from the best and not from the VOL
nominees o nthe party tickets.
,e WANTED, A POLICY.
Roscoe Conkling is reported to ha
.atJ -o~nnAl.x L.. kL.k -l---- =.