Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-06-25
"Are the People Partisan P"


of political economy, has fully and freely
discussed the tendencies and the positions
assumed by the Republican party, since it
control of the country under Presi-
dent Harrison's administration. The rul-
ings and powers exercised by Speaker
Reed, the seating of the Montana Sena-
tors, and the election of Democratic mem
bers of the House of Representatives, and
the proposed Federal Election law, have,
from time to time, been held up before the
people with the direful consequences which
must follow abuse Of authority and arbi-
trary control regardless of principle or
Justice. In its issue of the 18th instant,
these grave questions are again reviewed,
and the people are directly introduced as
they are concerned not only in their rela-
tions TO the Federal Government, but to
State and local interests which SHOULD be
above and beyond party domination.
To the people of the South, whose indie
pendence and rights and freedom Harri-
sons administration and the dominating
majority in Congress have attempted to de-
stroy, the article especially referred to is Of
the gravest interest. Its title is quoted
above and is reproduced in full:
I'VE have called attention from time to time
to the gradual change In our system OF govern
ment by which parties become more and more
dominant. We think 1t was grand mistake
when the New York Legislature, and that Of
foil fIaa ho6 mil
Disseminated in behalf of partisan organiza-
lions, The initial act was in the direction
that members of various commissions i'm.
posed on the cities for their government
should be made up of an equal number Of
certain partisan adherents. Then followed
similar recognition Of partisans in the desig-
nation of election officers, including registrars
poll clerks, inspectors, &C., and now 1t is I'M
possible to pass bill through the Legislature
of this State for anything from the most
trif1ing local service up to the construction OF
an aqueduct without some provision for secur-
ing TO the friends of those who vote for 1t
share in the control of the resulting patronage
In the general government the Republicans
had 1t all their own way for nearly a quarter
of century, when they were displaced for a
brief term. For most of that long period they
were so strongly intrenched that they were not
compelled to consider their opponents at all
in the government of the country. The Demo-
Gratis succeeded in wrestling from them por-
ton of the reins of authority for Presidential
term, but Congress was divided SO that 1t Is
impossible to tell how extreme the followers
of Cleveland might have been in their assump-
ton of power If they he'd obtained full control
Coming in again under Harrison the Republic
cans have given the most extraordinary ex-
<F, rtfc rr1la I, hoe
witnessed. In both branches of Congress the
committees in charge of bills of very grave i'm
port have been divided, and the majority has
refused even to consult with the minority In
the preparation of proposed legislation. And
when the measures thus privately concocted
have been reported for action, not only has
discussion been interdicted, but the majority
itself has proclaimed the rule OF party caucus,
and forced the confirmation ofits DEGREES.
The majority in the Senate has been increas-
ed by the admission of members for whose
election there was not even plausible argu-
ment; and in the House the unseating Of one
and the seating of another has been voted for
on such fimsy pretexts that the whole pro-
ceeding would have been farce if such seri-
Gus consequences had not been INVOLVED In
tie result. To perpetuate this order of things
the States that have been gerrymandered for
the sake of party control are to be forbidden
from rectifying the arrangements of districts
and, gravest of all, it is proposed to put the
election of q new Congress in charge of parti-
sans for whose unwarrantable decisions there
to be absolutely no redress. Three super
visors, two of whom shall be Republicans, are
to have not merely supervisory powers, as
under the present law, but absolute control OF
the registration, direction of the election,
,loffA nf he xynfoc
making out and certifying to the returns. and
all that shall determine who is to be the Sit
ting member. In this project the Clerk of the
House in calling the roll is to give precedence
to the certificate of these two supervisors over
the certificate of the Secretary of State under
the broad seal of the Commonwealth, and is to
Euffer heavy penalty If he fails in this parti-
san edict.
In addition to this election machinery. SUPP
posed to be of special service at the South, q
still heavier pressure than is now exercised is
to be brought to bear upon those districts in
the north not so easily manipulated. The key
of this may be found in the New York Tribune
in an article which shows that every locality
that clings to it's Democratic preferences will
be "cold shouldered," both in the State and
the Federal administration. That paper OPEN
ly declares that while the city of New York
remains Democratic sit cannot get the most
necessary provisions for the development OF
Its traffic. A Republican Legislature at AL.
bany and Republican Congress at Washing
ton have good reason for refusing enactments
which would increase the political power OF
the horde now in possession Of the city" The
editor notifies business men that they will
secure no State or Federal legislation that
will increase the prosperity of the city until
70 hn OBJ
the sscendancy of that party in this Demo-
cratic stronghold. The city will be refused
what constitutional enumeration of the in
habitants would give to it, as long as 1t is
under Democratic control. 1t may elect a
Governor, but by this refusal sit is tolerably
certain to have the Legislature against him."
1t is of no use. the Tribune adds, for "New
York to go to Washington and to Albany and
want favors," while it thus stays out OF the
Republican fold.
AS we look on these partisan schemes, and
the frantic efforts made to perpetuate an over
bearing and oppressive party dynasty, we are
led to ask how far the mass OF honest people
approve OF such measure. The good and the
true are not as one in their party allegiance,
~apd-as far as our observation goes are about
equally divided among the nominal adherents
of the Two great political organizations. It
seems to us that 1t is only the leaders, the
n.riguers, the interruptions wirepulers that
originate and shape such action. The mass of
the rank and file may lock on with too much
indifference as long as their side reaps the ad.
vantage Of the course we have described, but
we cannot believe that the great body of any
party can heartily approve of it. There is In
every mans inner consciousness condemna-
ton OF wrong and injustice, and an approval
nj O nd ifrr To fJ,fr f1,ao
must at last appeal lift is to be saved from the
mad ambition of party rulers"
DEATH OF JUDGE HENRY w. THOMAS OF
AIRFAx.-Judge Henry W. Thomas died
at Fairfax Courthouse last Sunday morn
ing in the 18Th year of his age. Before the
late war as whig and since as democrat
he served several terms in the Legislature.
He was member of the commission that
visited President Lincoln in 1861 with a