Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-08

Political Libertf.

The Democrats In the school board
have acted very properly in refusing to
take advantage Of the accidental ma
josity they had in the board through the
dea&h of Republican members, and In
yielding to the Republican members
their usual representation among the
olnces Of the body. The death of Mr..
Evans and that of Mr.. Eberman gave
Tie Democrats on two occasions q ma
jofity Of the body, which they might
have retained; but they recognized the
SAct that the school board has been or
ganised by law a. non-partisan body,
with an equal representation of the
political parties in 1t, and that II was
their duty to abolish politics from the
body 20 far ~ in their power. They
realized that the interests Of the schools
would be thus best subserved. A couple
of years ago the Republican members Of
the board were not equally mindful of
IT. proprieties, and seized upon their
temporary majority to elect all Republi-
can ofYicials.
The Democrats had thus the tcmpta-
tlon of refusal upon them and are enti-
tied to much credit for resisting 1t. The
Republican members of the board, upon
this occasion, we are pleased to note,
recognized the magnanimity of their po-
lltical opponents, and applauded while
promising to initiate it hereafter.
There is very clear line drawn in the
intelligent mind between the rightful
and wrongful use Of political power.
Parties are recognized as necessary in
government, to the end that opposition
and criticism may keep the governing
power from oppression. The national
and state administration is the domain
of the national and state party.
City and county interest are different,
and there is no sufficient reason
Why parties formed for operation in
larger fields should dominate the smaller
ones and in city affairs 1t often happens
that great harm is done by the citizens
holding themselves within national
party lines when the issues are wholly
local. So In voting for the presidency it
b sound opinion that there should be
great freedom from party control claimed
by the voter; the duty Of the judge being
mccgnixed AZ generally of a non-partisan
character. This conception serves now
10 give Judge who has approved him
self In his position strong claim upon
the non-partisan support of his fellow
citizens and the opinion is rapidly gain
ing ground that the good judge should
be reelected without the assent of all
parties.
In this section of the cou ntry this
view ID more generally taken by the
Democratic than by the Republican
party possibly because Pennsylvania Is
Republican state and strongly domi-
mated by the politician who sees In the
party machine made for the purpose of
Of seizing upon every visible fieshpot /;
but we incline to believe that there is q
further reason in the more natural
liberty of the Democratic mind upon
political matters due to the education of
it, doctrine, that the people rule, and
that they should be restricted in their
0ationalrights, only 80 far as the absolute
The Democratic mind inclines to OBJ
serve the spirit Of the law. 1t approves
the non-partisan government of the
schools, which are instituted only for
the education Of the children. II calls
for freedom to every citizen In the enjoy
ment of all possible liberty. 1t resists
the oppression Of power of every kind
and champions individual rights. II
understands that government is estab-
lkhed to secure the welfare of the
citizen, not for his enslavement and
that political parties have like mis-
sion.