St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-12-13

IL. That they are
TERRIBLY ON THE INCREASE
all must concede. Manifestly If the motives
of all our citizens were unselfish and pat /
otlc, and If they sought in political action
only their share of the advantage accruing
from the advance OF our country at all points
towards her grand destiny. there would be no
place or occasion for the perversion of our
suffrage. Thus the Inauguration OF the in-
umdation and corruption OF our voters may
be Justly charged 10 selfish schemes seeking
success through political action. But these
evils have been neglected by honest men dis
gusted with all political endeavor; they have
been tolerated by respectable men who, in
weakness OF patriotic sentiment have re-
garded them as only phases Of shrewd po-
htieal management. and they have been
actually encouraged by the honors
which have been bestowed upon
those who boast of their use Of
such agencies in aid of party supremacy.
Many of us, therefore, may take to ourselves
a share OF blame. when we find confronting
us these perils which threaten the existence
OF our free institutions, the preservation OF
our national honor and the perpetuity of our
country. The condition annexed to the
founding of our government upon the
suffrage of the people was that the suffrage
should be free and pure. We consented 10
abide by the honest prep )ndeTance of pollt-
ical opinion. but we did not COZ sent that
free vote, expressing the intelligent and
thoughtful sentiment of the voter. should be
balanced by vote OF intimidation and fear
II,
BOUGHT AND TREACHERoUsLY SOLD.
Let US look with degree Of pity and char
ity upon those who yield to fear and intiml-
dation i'll the exercise of their right of suf-
frage. Though they ought not thus to yield.
we cannot forget that as against their free
ballot, they see in the scale. their continued
employment, the comfort OF their homes and
the maintenance or their families. We need
not stitie our scorn and contempt for the
wretch who basely sells his vote. and who
for bribe betravs his trust of citizenship.
And yet the thought Will lntrude itself. that
he but follows in low and vulgar fashion,
the example of those who proceed upon the
theory that political action may be turned 10
private gain. But whether We pity or whether
hate, our betrayal is none the less complete;
nor will either pity or hate restore our birth
right. But we know that when political self
iSh less Is destroyed our dangers Will dlSap-
pear; and, though the way to its stronghold
may be long and weary. we will follow it
lighting as we go. There will be no sur
render, nor will there be desertions from our
ranks. SeitishnesS and corruption have not
vet achieved a lasting triumph aad their bold
defiance will put hasten the day OF their de-
struction. AS we struggle on and confidently
invite a direct conflict with these entrenched
foes of our political safety, we have not
failed to see another hope which has mani
tested itself TO all the honest people Of the
land. 1t teaches them that though they may
not Immediately destroy at their source
THE EVILS WHICH AFFLICT THEM.
they may check their malign influence and
guard themselves against their baneful re-
suits. 1t assn them that if political virtue
and rectitude cannot at once be thoroughly
restored TO the republic, the activity of baser
elements may be discouraged. 1t inspires
them with vigiIant watchfulness and de-
termination 10 prevent, as far as possible,
their treaoherDns betrayal by those who are
false TO their obligations of citizenship. This
hope. risen like the star in the East has fixed
the gaze of our patriotic fellow countrymen;
and everywhere-in our busy msrts or trade
and on our tarms-in our cities and in our
villages-in the dwellings OF the rich and in
the homes of the poor-in our universities
and in our workshOps-in our banking
houses and in the ranks OF inexorable toll
they greet with enthusiastic acclaim the ad-
vent of ballot reform. There are no Lead
ers in this cause. Those who seem 20 lead
theHleYement are but swept TO the front by
the surgIng force of patriotic sentiment. 1t
rises TAR q. 'ove partisanShiD and only the
needless the sordd and the depraved refuse
to join in the crusade. This reform Is pre-
dicted upon The cool deliberaiion of political
seltishness in its endeav0r 10 prostitute soIlF.
suffrage 10 the purposes of private gs.iH. It
IS rightly supposed that corruption OF the
voter is entered upon with such business
Calculation that the eorruptor will only pay-a
bribe when he has ocular proof that the
suffrage he has bargained for is east in ais
interest, So, too, 1t is reasonably expected
that if the employe or laborer is at the time
of casting his ballot removed from the imme-
diase control of his EN- plo, er. the futility Of
FEAR AND INTIMIDATION
will lead TO their abandonment The change
demanded By this reform in the foTmalitieS
surrounding the exercise of the privilege of
suffrage, has given rise to real or pretended
sol cItude for the rights OF our voters, and
the fear has been expressed that inability on
the part of electors 10 conform to the require
ments of the proposed change might produce
great Inconvenience and in some cases result
in Acknowledgement IL has even been sug-
gested that the Inauguration of the new plan
ties. It will not do to accuse of hostility 20
the reform all those who present these OBJ
iectionS, but II is not amSs to inspect their
ranks for enemies in di Iise. Though the
emergency which is upon us is full OF
danger and though we sadly need re-
lief, all rights should be ScrupuIoGsly
preserved. But there should De no
shuffi1ug and no frivolous objections should
be tolerated. When dwelling is in flames
we use No set phrase of speech 70 warn its
inmates and no polite and courtly touch to
effect their rescue. Experience has often
demonstrated how quickly obstacles which
seemed plausible if not convincing when
urged against measure or reform, are diSSl-
pated by the test of trial. and how readily q
new order of things adjusts itself to success
full use. | remember the inauguration OF an
other reform; and have seen 1t grow and
extend until IT has become firmly established
III our laws and practice. 1t is to-day our
g:eatest safeguard against The complete and
DIsGRACEFUL DEGRADATION
OF our public service. IL lad lLS enemies
and all of them are not yet silenced. Those
openly and secretly unfriendly, said In the
beginning that the sc heme was impracLi-
cable and unnecessary: that 1t created an Of
ice e-holding class; that 1t established burden
some and deusiye tests tor entry in the pub
lie service which should be open 10 all; that
il put in the place of real merit and ef-
ficiency, scholastic requirements; that IL
limited the discretion Of those charged with
the selection of public employees: and that it
ViPtQrU
wrought by the force of enlightened puilic
sentimenl--and upon its trial every objection
which had been urged against il was COM
pleteIy discredited. As it has been with
civil service reform, so it will be with
ballot reform, except that the COM
ing victory will be more speedily
achieved and will be more complete.
And az the grand old State of Massachusetts,
was foremost 10 adopt and demonstrate the
practicability and usefulness of civil service
REFORM so has she been the first to adopt
thorough scheme of ballot reform and to
prove in practice its value and the invalldity
Of the objections made aganstit We thank
Massachusetts Tonight for all hat she has
done for these reforms: and we of New York
hope that our Emp pire state will soon be keep
ing steC with her sister states in the enforce
ruent of an effective and honest method of
ballot reform. In conclusion let me say that
gnod men have no cause for diseouragement
Though gthere are dangers that threaten our
welfare and safety.
THE VIRTUE AND PATRIOTISM
Of the American people are not lost, and we
shall ind them sufficient for Us. Ii in too
great confidence they slumber, they will not