Savannah morning news., 1886-06-20


Those who bave followed closely the ex-
traordinaiv campaign for the Guberuato-
rial nomination IN this State are aware
doubtless that neither Gen. Gordon nor
Mai. Bacon is leaving any honorable
means uutried 20 secure success. Indeed,
in be opiuion ofmany, some Of the means
/ tbey are using are not entirely creditable
TO them. But, be that as it may, IL can
hardly be otherwise tb that they, or
/ their managers for them, should make
promises which it will be exceedingly dn-
/ dcult for them to keep. ComDaratiYely
few men are willing to devote their time
and spend their money tn advance the po-
litical fortunes of others without some
expectation ot reward. 1t is safe TO say
that very many OF those who have been
doing, and are still doing, excellent work
tor Gen. Gordon or Maj. Bacon have been
promised rewards Of some sort.
1t is probable, OF course, that these
promised rewards are all Of a political
character, but whatever their character
is the successful candidate will be called
on tor them. He will hardly be inaugu-
rated before those who rendered him as
sistance will demand the settlement of
their claims upon him. If he is a man
who regards mis- word as sacred he Will
have great difficulty in fulfilling his
promises. 1t will dawn on him. when it
is TOO late, that be cannot keep faith with
all who have reason to expect compensa-
ton of some kind He Will have to use
his influence, however, aud the patronage
at his disposal to the extent of his power to
satisfy his political creditors.
1t is easy TO see what the result will be.
Incompetent and irresponsible men will
succeed in getting into places of respOn-
sibilty and trust. Policies intended for
the good of the whole people Will have to
be abandoned because they interfere with
the plans OF those entitled to rewards.
The interests OF the people will have to be
sacrificed in order that henchmen may be
taken care OF.
This may appear to be an overdrawn
picture, but it is not. Every one who has
bad anything to do with personal politics
knows that those who seek prominent
llaoes and get them by wire pulling,
promising this thing to one man and that
tling to another, and by personal appeals
to sympathy, friendship or cupidity, are
virtually the slaves of those who hold
their promises. They are not free to do
what is right.
In view of the fact that the people owe
nothing to Gen. Gordon or Mai. Bacon,
and the further fact that if either of them
is elected Governor he will be in the
power Of those who did political work for
him, would it not be advisable to abandon
both of them?
1t surely cannot be wise to elect a man
to the highest State office who is not in a
position to administer the government in
accordance with his ideas of what is
right? 1t may be argued that if either
Gen. Gordon or Maj. Bacon becomes
Governor, he will kick down the ladder
which enabled him to climb to that posi-
tion--that is, he will repudiate his prom
ises and turn his back upon those who
fought his battles for him. A man who
would do anything of that kind is not to
be trusted. Indeed, to have such a man
for Governor would be a greater misfor-
tune than to nave one who is so bound by
promises that be has no will of his own.
1t is not necessary, however, to put in
the Governors Office a man who is either
so bound by promises as not to be free
agent, or who is so conscienceless as to
have no regard for promises. The wise
course to pursue is to send delegates to
the convention who win nominate a man
who has taken no part in the campaign
for the nomination, and who, therefore,
will be free to discharge the duties of
Governor wholly in the interest Of the
people.