Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-20
LlQUOR.sELLERS IN POLITICS.

n Clear Explanation of tho Manner in
Which They Gain Great Power.
The strength of our political organiza-
tons arises from their DEVELOPMENT as
social bodies; many of the hardest workers
in their ranks are neither otficeholders nor
yet paid henchmen, but merely members
who have gradually learned to identify
their fortunes with the party whose hall
they have come to regard as the head
quarters in which to spend the most agree
able of their leisure moments, says Iheo-
dore Roosevelt, writing in the Century on
Machine Politics in New York" Under
the American system it is impossible for
man to accomplish anything by himself; he
must associate himself with others, and
they must throw their weight together.
This is just what the social functions of
the political clubs enable their members to
do. The great and rich society clubs are
composed of men who are not apt to take
much interest in politics anyhow, and who
never act as body. The immense effect
produced by a social organization for po-
ltical purposes is shown by the career OF
the Union League Club, and equally strik-
ing proof can be seen by every man who
attends q ward meeting. There is thus,
however much to be regretted it may be, a
Of political power in the hands of those
men who by taste and education are fitted
to enjoy the social side Of the various DO
Ii ical organizations.
II IS this that gives the liquor sellers
their enormous influence in politics. Pre-
paratory TO the general election of 1884
there were held in the various districts of
New York ten hundred and seven primaries
and political conventions of all parties, and
Of these no less than six hundred and
thirty three took place in liquor saloons
a showing that leaves small ground for
wonder at the low average grade of the
nominees. The reason for such condition
of things is perfectly evident; it is because
the liquor saloons are places of social re-
sort for the same men who turn the local
political organizations into social clubs.
Bar-tende:s form, perhaps, the nearest APP
proach to leisure class that we have
at present on this side of the water. They
naturally are on semi-intimate terms with
all who frequent their houses. There is no
place where more go sip is talked than in
bar-rooms, and much OF this gossip is about
politics-that is, the politics of the ward,
10. OF the nation. The tariff and the silver
question may be alluded to, but the real in
terest comes i'll discussing the doings OF the
men with whom they are personally ac-
quain:ed; why. Billy So-and-so, the Alder
man, has quarreled with his former chief
supporter; whether "old man Y. has really
managed to fix the delegates 10 ii given con-
vention; the reason Why one faction bo.ted
at the last primary; and if it is true that u
great down town boss who has an intimate
friend OF opposing political faith running
i'll an uptown district has forced the man
ayers of his own party to put up
man OF straw against him. The bar
keeper is man OF much local power, and is
of course hail fellow we'll met with his Wis
TORS. as he and they can be of mutual as
sistance 10 one another. Even if of differ
erert politics their feelings toward each
other are influenced by personal considera-
tons purely, and, indeed, this is true of
most Of the smaller bosses as regards their
dealings amoAg themselves, for, rs one of
EN- once remarked to me with engmatc
truthfuln SIS. there is no politics in poll
tics of tie lower sort--which, being inter-
preted, means that professional politician
is much less apt to be swayed by the fact
Of mans being Democrat or Republic
can than he is by being a personal friend
or foe. The liquor saloons thus become
the social headquarters of the little knots
or cliques Of men who take most interest in
local political affairs. and by an easy tran j.
ton they becom' tie political head nart1rs
Wen the time for lne'ari 6 tor tie cleo
to s ar YES: an I, Of COZ Sc, he good will
of tre owners Of the places is thereby pro-
ritiated- IN important point with men
striving to cOnt,Ol every vote Dossible