Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-17
Must HOnOrs be Bought

From the New York Times.
Competition for the highest public honors in
this country has come to be largely matter OF
purchase. if not with money then with political
pledges. In the gossip of Washington it has
been given out that certain men had no chance
for high appointments because they made no
contributions toward the election of the in
coming President. 1t is assumed that positions
are not to be bestowed for eminent fitness, but
as a reward for political services. We do not
believe the new President will act on this prin-
cipe. but that it is assumed that he must show
how strong hold 1t has obtained in our pol
itics.
There are men sitting In the United States
Senate to-day who hold their places by direct
purchase. In some cases Of small western
states which abound in mining and railroad mil
iiOnaires there is scarcely chance for doubt that
they paid for their election directly Indirectly
with money. These men. in dealing with Ques-
tons affecting railroads. public lands and the
coinage of silver, do not represent the people,
but the special interests with which they are
connected. and they are an obstacle in the way
of legislation which is of great moment to the
country. Even in the largest states the Ques-
ton OF representation in the Senate does not
seem to turn On the consideration Of fitness for
the Office. 1t is too frequently assumed that
the honor will go to the highest bidder. There
is an Old-fashoned doctrine that the office
should seek the man. If there is one whose
character and experience eminently fit him for
place that is to be filed he should be selected
for that reason, not that he may be honored
but that he may creditably and hon.
orably represent the state. Any man who acts
upon that theory Is regarded by the small poll
ticians with scorn. He is not only expected to
seek the honor, but to Outbid other competitors
either by his past contributions to party success
or By his promises of future aid to the schemes
OF those who concern themselves with party
management. The rich man who has been lavish
OF his means in political campaigns and who
may be expected to be SO again has an advantage
over rivals. however worthy, who are dependent
on their merits The inevitable product of this
method Of disposing Of public honors in Senate
Of medOcrties In mental and moral endowments
who have large interests often in conflict with
those Of the public.
The power of money In the attainment Of
political hOnors is not confined to state leglsla-
lures. More and more it has become necessary
for aspirants to seats in the lower branch of
Congress to be rich in order to be successful
1t may not be the desire of the people who elect
them. but they must get their nominations
through the organized body of politicians who
control caucuses and conventions In MANY
cases these men have sharp eye for contrbu-
tons to election expenses. Many u man has
disbursed more money to attain a seat In Con-
gress than the salary for his terms amounts to-
So it has long been I'm local elections Candi-
dates are sought for who are able and willing to
make liberal contributions. and the claims of
those are treated with contempt who are unable
or unwilling to pay for public honors.
How demOralizing all this is it Is unnecessary
to say 1t lowers the standard of public service
and 1t degrades politics. There is no remedy
except In the hands of the people and IN pub
lie sentiment which politicians will feel bound
| To respect The political service and experience
which should be rewarded with public honor ia
that which has been gained by devotion to sound
principles and by action from which the public
has derived benefit. Those who take part In
the bestowal Of public Offices should regard
their power as in the highest degree one Of
trust and responsibility to be used for the bene-
hit Of the people and of the state which it is dis
graceful to make matter of barter and sale for
any consideration weateyer