The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-09-16
The Cut Must Come Before the
Deal.


Deal.
1t appears that the political cam
paign in this State is about to
begin rather earlier than usual.
In some sections great clamor for
n "change in the State officers" is
being rasied. AS it is termed, "a
new deal" Is demanded. The ex-
act meaning OF thi phrase seems
not to be definitely fixed, but va
ries to suit the taste Of all.
Before, however, it is decided
that a "new deal" is needed, let us
determine what it means, for it
may be that more Importance is at
tached to the term than one would
suppose at a first glance. If at the
next election we are TO make a
clean sweep of all the officers from
the highest to the lowest, irrespec-
tive Of merit or qualifications, just
to have a change, or for the pur-
pose of giving place to others, we
see no necessity for such n course.
While it is true that the people
have the power to place who
ever they choose in Office, yet
1t should be remembered that
this power must never be exercised
to reward friendship, nor should a
man be placed in office simply be-
aus he is seeking a situation and
is needy. A public officer is a pub
lie servant, and a public Office q
sacred trust. Those who perform
their duty with fidelity and are
acceptable to the people, should
not be sacraficed in order that NAL
contents may get their place.
Another view of the matter is
that there is q certain class in this
State who always manage to secure
"fat" places for themselves and
their family connection. Because
Of a mans family name,-because
his grandfather was brave or his
great-grandfather was a Revolu-
tionary general, it does not follow
that he is any more competent or
any more entitled to hold an office
than any other man. In this coun-
try "every tub must stand on it's
w BOTTOM" and it is the man
himself; his character and fitness
that should decide the question,
and not his pedigree.
Perhaps this is what is meant
when the newspapers all owe the
country speak of the "rings" in this
State. II this was their reason for
asking for the new deal, surely no
n could object. 1t is the only
argument that a seriously be
urged in favor of it. AS to there
being such a thing as a corrupt po-
litical ring, since the Democrats
came in power, no one would for a
moment contend, yet it does seem
that family connection and influ-
ence with certain aristOcratic fam
lilies has Outweighed all other con-
siderations in South Carolina for
the past few years.
But from what we have seen
subject, on the we are forced to
the conviction that some of those
who are most vehement in advoca-
ting the new deal have a very diff
ferent object in view.
Underlying the whole matter.
the talk about a change in the Off
GERS, new deal, &c, it does not re-
quire a Solomon to perceive that
these loud takers each have n
complete set of candidates which
they have wish to push into office.
This Is a species of demagOgueism
which should be condemned by all
lovers of good government, all fair
minded men. Nothing is more
coptemptible than to see II man
attempt, by deceiving the public,
and by throwing out false colors, to
ride into power upon a hobby.
The main question in State poll
tics that will be before the people
In the next election is the Univer-
sity question, and it is useless to
seek TO disguise the fact.
1t will at least take some more
clever device than a "new dear to
deceive the people.