Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-10-10
TO THE VOTERS OF THE TWENTY
EIGHTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Having been nominated us the Dem
ocratic candidate for State Senator of
the Twenty-eightl Senatorial district,
desire thus publicly to outline the
principles and methods which / pro-
pose to adopt in making the canvass
for election, and by which. if called to
the Office by the suffrages of the people
of the district, propose to be guided
i'll the discharge of official duties: My
nomination having been brought about
by no suggestion or action on nay part,
and believing that the popular cry that
anything is fair in politics is false
and pernicious, shall uso no methods
to secure votes that would he ineom-
patible with manly, just and fair deal
ing, and | will not sink the man in the
politician. Explicit faith in the integ-
rity and patriotism of the people is an
article of democratic doctrine to which
l most cheerfully subscribe, and In
asking for the suffrages of my fellow
citizens | shall appeal to their love of
true and right principles, rather than
seek to gain their support by fawning
or tlattery. Without making profess
sions of superior political morality,
l am far from endorsing the methods
too often employed to secure the
honors of Office. BY far too often are
the people deprived of part or lot in
this matter, while politicians who have
become experts at the crank of the
machine share among themselves the
offices. \ return to purer and better
methods is demanded Purity in the
conduct Of public affairs is the crying
need of the hour. In consequence of
the loose practices which have pre-
vailed, and by the departure from
stern political morality, not only do we
find men apologizing for unfaithful-
ness and dishonesty in public offices
from the lowest to the highest rank,
but the public conscience has become
scared and deadened, and the con-
Eliminating influence seems to have
spread to our business and social
rs we'll rs to our political relations.
The primary cause of this is that the
politicians have uSurped the rights
and powers which should be exercised
by the whole people. while they have
failed to enter their protest against
such usurpation, and have been Con-
tent to be fed on the east wind of po-
litical promises and professions. They
too often allow their passions and
prejudiceS and not their calm and
sober judgment to govern their
actions. And desire to secure party
advantage too often controls politi-
clans, making them mere partisans,
instead of honorable, trustworthy and
patriotic citizens. TO remedy these
evils should be the great object of right
thinking men of all parties. Political
parties should exist only as means to
secure an end, and that end should be
the establishment of purer and better
government. There is a common bor-
der ground upon which honest men
no matter what may be the shades of
their political belief-can meet to Sc
cure honesty in the administration of
public affairs. The power Of choosing
public servants belongs to the people
and not to any class of politicians, and
honesty and capability are the true
standards by which candidates should
be judged.
Pledging myself. if elected, to con-
scientiously discharge every duty that
may deyolye upon me, / respectfully
ask the suffrages and support of my
fellow-citizens for the office for which
my party friends have made me can
didate. GEORGE CRAWFORD.