The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-05-28
PARTY RESPONSIBILITY.

j. L. Laughlin, in the Atlantic, pre-
seuts the public with paper OF faults
in our system OF government, regard
ing them in their relation as the dilu-
sorry work of political organizations
He says:
GAS matters now stand, the election
of President, in truth, dets rmines
little more than whether one or the
other of the principal candidates shall
control the appointments to Office. In
deed, the excessive bitterness and vir-
ulence Of a Presidential campaign is
due to this fact-the intensely
personal character of the real issue.
But politicians, while electing a Presi-
dent, raise great clamor about the
South, about free trade or about any of
the possible issues that can affect the
country, and flood of rhetoric on
these questions swamps the press and
all political speaking, to the exclusion
of the real question involved IN the
election. These discussions on mat
tiers of moment-discussion which
would be of use if we were choosing
congressman to legislate upon them
only befog the popular mind and set
tie nothing, while they conceal from
the public the actual truth that.
under the smoke OF the bitter fight on
issues, the politicians are really aim
ing at getting possession of the
appointing. power by select
ing their candidate for the
Presidency. Without doubt, If the
appointment should be used by a
scheming President, opposed to the
merit system, they would instruments
of very considerable efficiency in in
| fluenciDg Congress; but it is dithcult
to understand how an Executive who
appoints to Office solely on grounds of
merit, without eXacting a considera-
ton from the appointee, could much
affect legislation in Congress. The
real cause of intense feeling in Presi-
Dental elections is the hope of secur-
ing the offices; and with a proper
extension of civii-service reform this
ought to disappear.
at is a familiar fact to every one
that the platforms of our nominating
conventions are absolutely useless. so
far as an effect on party action is con-
cerned, after the election has passed
by. Why is it? Because they form a
part of our political delus1on. These
platforms are nominally made for
Presidents to stand upon; but every
idea, every crotchet, which. may cap.
tivate voter, is included in them.
Tho President is expected to express
his adherence to the platform in a
L. rter ;,c.rp+ance But such forms
a., ~ i'y illogical. 1t is of
precious lttc Importance what the
President { ,ris of questions which
must go u tr,gresS, for enar;m mt
into law. y ger he is elected,
does the President lie awake
nights, with the platform of
his party in his hands, studying how
he may please the voters by making
DEGREES or proclamaiions about the
declarations in the party resolutions
Or is he rather not barring his doors
in a futile attempt to keep the herd of
trampling Office seekers out of his very
dining-room or his | ec chamber? If
we are worked up into white heat
every four years because A has as
sented to one set of views and B to
another almost exactly like them, only
to find out that it means nothing at
all as regards any final results, we
naturally become diSguSted with poll
tics and aglee that 1t is of no use t.
discuss any political questions, be-
cause we caE have no influence in set
Ting them.
"To ask for bread, in this way, and
get only stone is not satisfying to
healthy political life. Is it not posi-
BILE to make things little clearer to
every voter, that a ballot for Presi.
dent touches questions such as meth
DDS of appointments, but that, if he
wishes to have an influence on legisla-
ton, he can have it 10 no other way
than by his choice of members OF
Congress? Let the election OF Con-
gressmen be signalized by proper
platforms discussing national Ques-
tions; for they are the men " no chief
ly settle them-not the President.
The zeal about public questions should
at present be turned directly upon
Congress. The platforms of national
conventions are only decoys. They
mean nothing more than the orders to
q sham fight, when the battle is going
on elsewhere. 1t is not conceivable
that the Americans are so dull peo-
pleas long TO remain under this po-
litical delusion."
While Mr.. Laughlin presents truths
in one light, he argues points from an
improper basis. is admitted that
platforms are rel tied by admins
fratiye officeri a 4 as by congress
',er's'' s-..F undermining plat
: are repudiated.
) - ii require Of all
S.ss>:s "a SeRRressrnen..