The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-07-31
"public Office is n Public Trust"

needed at present.
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'Public Office is IL Public Trust"
The above maxim, so essential to
the perpetuity of free government,
was adopted by the Democracy of
the country in the memorable cam
paign of 1884, and contributed in
no small degree to the success of
the party candidates in that con-
test. 1t announces the doctrine
that public Office is not a sinecure, II
profitable position to be given to
some person as reward for parti-
san fealty, or party service, either
past or future, but position re-
quiring the person receiving the
same to be competent in every re-
spect to perform the service
required i'm such manner as shall
rebound to the best interests of the
State and community.
That the doctrine is correct no
one can have Il doubt, and it's neg
lect and evasion is the fruitful pro-
genitor from which has sprung all
the political disturbances that
afiiict the country at this time.
Political ringsters and incompe-
tent partisans have been rewarded
by being placed in positions for
which they had niether the moral,
mental nor physical fitness.
Democracy in its efforts to reform
the abuses which have crept into
the administration of public affairs
can afford to take no backward
step, nor deviate from the straight
and narrow way.
1t must require fitness in all who
would aspire to be the servants of
the people-complete fitness, not
partial.
The Democrat who asks the sup
port of his fellow citizens for place
must be able to satisfy them that
he has the moral courage to do his
whole duty, the mental ability to
distinguish the right from the
wrong, and the physical strength to
accomplish the necessary labor in
separable from the reasonable dis
patch of business.
Any one knowing himself to be
lacking in any one of the above re-
quirements, has no right to ask or
reason to expect the votes of his
fellow-citizens for position.
1t may happen that such an one
may be elected to Office, and that
the party may not know of his
deficiency at the time of his elec-
ton. This is the fault of the can
didate, and the misfortune of the
party. Should such an one again
offer as candidate, his election
would not only be the .fduit but the
DISADVANTAGE of the party. We
repeat it, the man who asks the
support of any party, who is una.
BILE to perform the duties of tho
position to which he wishes to at
tain, with all reasonable punctual
ity and dispatch, does that which
Injuries the party and weakens it,
chances of success, and we who
wish and labor for the best inter
est of Democracy, and would give
no hurtful advice, say that Tho
claims of any such should be con
sidered in the light of the maxim
which heads this article, and b,
dealt with accordingly. Eet Dem
ocrats require and accept only thu
services of men who can answel
with truth aflirmatively, Are they
politically pure? Are they men
tally competent? Are they physic
ally vigorous?
Coming before people surfeitet
on official neglect, incompetency
and political impurity, with candi
dates answering to such tests, W.
cannot help but challenge their ad
miration and encourage their sup
port.
Neglect this and our protesta
tions become as II hollow mOckery
and our efforts for good, futile.
Hon, ROBT. n. REESE, of Pauld