Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-06-19
A QUESTION OR TWO ANSWERED.

UGlOIt i L 10 pal SOL "
every one of the recent candidates for
nomination were acceptable to us.
We could have supported them cheer
fully.
We have an opinion on every sub
iect that we have had time to think OF
and study, and, at what we think the
right time, we express it. We are not
so fresh in the business, however, as to
be led into discussion that we think I'M
timely by the innuendoes Of a political
opponent. In the recent canvass we
deemed it to be for the best interest OF
the democratic party to extend the use
of our columns, under certain rules, to
all democrats alike, in order that they
or their friends might have the oppor-
tunity to reach the ear OF the people OF
the county. As it distinctly announced,
the Intelligencer preserved between the
candidates a strict neutrality. That
this was appreciated may best be prov
ell by the use that was made of the
paper by nearly all of the candidates.
Its columns were open to one Just
exactly as they were to another.
We did not think it wise to enter the
| discussion as to third termism, because
if we had, our %utterances would have
peer used by those who differ from us,
the Post among the number though it
agrees with MS, as indicating a desire to
bolster up Lexington against other
parts of the county. OF course this is
no argument, but with some people the
tanning of a prejudice the
same purpose, though it is less bonora-
Bile and sensible. As applied to
| Messrs. Steele and Conner this preju-
dice is greatly misdirected, as the one
is a Washington and the other a Clay
township man. having been presented,
temporarily, to Lexington as office
holders. They have made good ones,
too, but be it remembered they were
not put into Office by Lexington or
Lexington township.
OuT SlCWS LII lCSdIo " =
are very simple. We think the broad
assertion, that opposition to third
terms per Sc is a democratic principle is
the baldest kind of humbug unsuppOrt-
ell by evidence.
Rotation in Office has at times been
loudly called for by ms against outs,
and has occasionally crept into plat
forms. 1t has often been urged by
persons who were personally opposed
to incumbents, but that it has been a
party principle we deny-primciple and
policy being two very distinct things.
As a matter of fact the democratic
party has been in power in Missouri
almost uninterruptedly, barring the
war period, since it was a state. 1t
has, therefore, crystalized its principles
in the statute books. lift has not done
so it has been either dishonest or care
less. We do not think it has been
either of these things. These demo-
cratic laws take the position that where
to an Office there is attached patronage
or the custody of money there should
be rotation. Hence, the governor and
state treasurer are ineligible to re-elec-
ton. In the counties the sheriff and
treasurer are confined to four years
consecutive service. These provisions
are, for obvious reasons, wise, bu
where an office is simply clerical thu
highest democratic authority, the con
stitutional convention and legislature
have, by their acts, declared that al
officer may, without danger, be re
elected as often as the people desire hi
I services.
In such cases, to use a homely illus
e tration, each tub should be made t.
: stand OH its own bottom; that is, eacI
= applicant should be Judged by his owI
: merits. There is always this to be cor
8 sidered-if a man has long been re
warded, and another in every way hi
It equal in ability and services asks
favor at the hands of his party, then
would only seem fair that the one VIII
has received no benefits should be pre-
ferred. But who is to Judge of all this
Evidently the party itself and the part
alone; and its determination, as to i
mem bers, should be final.
, All this is not new to us. We ha,
expressed it before; and that we al
sincere is evidenced by the fact that
the canvass which we made for secrt
~ tary of state we made no war again
=! our opponent upon his tenure of til
office, in the spirit that it was undemt
cratic; o after he was nominated di
f? we raise any objections upon that scor'
De nor have we ever heard of any dem
L. crat who did. His nomination for Il
); i third and fourth time were the &C
5. and the declarations Of the highe
&c authority in the party in the state. \
er one can very well dispute that.
ce In the last canvass the democracy
es Missouri stood upon two planks i'll O
O. position to rotation-the nominate
" for secretary of state and the eli
er service plank in the national platforI
al (which means the continuance, duril
in efficiency and good behavior, of
clerical officers in the national COVER
:, ment.
We do not mean by anything
have said, that occupancy of elect
= office constitutes any claim upon
people, The office does not belong
the office holder; neither does 1t bslO
to the nan who depends for electi
t- pTimurtly upon the fact that he can "a
q cry against an officer that he has he'll
place Longer than the aspirant thinks
should hare done. The offices beio
to the people; and to the people on
1t is for them to say, except where
law abridges a term, how long
-. officer shall occupy a place.
In this county the question was ST
mitted to the democracy, and the dec
ion was, in two cases, that a retent
of the officers was desirable. Whet
cps or not that conclusion is pleasant t o
the Intelligencer cuts no figure as t.
cry course. 1t is the verdict of the pa