The state capital., 1891-11-21
Terms Of subscription strictly in
THE DIS AG RE- ALB T. I
TROUTH ABOUT
POLL TICS.

The fact that we are living under
government, Repu blican in form, ex-
cites degree of gratitude which is
not disturbed by the consciousness
that it is merely form and not a
reality.
Our theory is very nearly perfect,
but many of our practices would be
better should we put fire under them
and fan till it blazes.
One state is neither better nor worse
than other states, but when it comes
to the work Of vivisetiOn any one well
serve the purpose of many, orators tell
us that our representatives represent
us in Springfield. 1T is all a fiattering
generality and fiction Of the immagi-
nation. If they had any regard for
the truth. and less ambition to win the
applause Of groundlings and incident
" "cakes and all' they would say
bluntly that the one purpose of our re-
preventative is to mis-represent us.
1T may be hard saying, but it must
be said sooner or later by some one,
that politics is nowadays business, a
trade, a profession. The end in view
is not the welfare of the masses, but
the personal advantage Of the office
seeker. His opinions are, in the great
majority of instances mercantile
commodity, for sale to any one who
has use for such wares. His vote is
also in the market, purchasable by
LOBBYISTS who have big axes to grind.
In nutshell, politics is not patrio-
tism adulterated with develtry, but
deviltry with slight admiXture Of
honor and honesty.
But you say that the people are al
ways the masters of the situation.
True the people are indeed king, but
the king sleeps most of the time, and
the power behind the thrOneouse
the kingdom to suit himself. 1t is not
the king but the kings bosses, when |
Ariticise, you would be more correct,
should you say, that the people al
ways can be, and should be masters.
Sometimes when thOurghly aroused,
the people have their own way. So
does an earth quake, syclone. At
such times popular Indignation be-
comes frenzy. The plans OF crafty
politians are torn down, the man is eX-
nelled from office evil conduct, the
other man packs his grip and pulls
out for Canada In such contest the
people are always yictors. But the
politician is well acquainted with this
fact. When the people get uneasy
and become restless, the politician,
from a spokesman soaked with all kinds
Of conceivable and inconcevable ras-
cality, suddenly turns patriot and
crvs out reform. When one line OF
business fails to pay, he changes his
tactics and has new line Of goods tor
sale. He leads the party that would
bnild barricades in the name Ofll liberty
equality and his own pocket, and more
than probably, he will play the unsus-
pecting people SO shoewdly that in the
end he may be appointed to the very
place as a white winged retormeI
which he tried in vain to purchase
corruptly as roger
Now there are these 50 called citi-
zens movements, contemplate things
they are because none but such crea-
tnres as have been, describing bene-
fit by them. There is nothing more
pitifill than such a movement, flying
aIoft the banner Of honest government.
1T is generally no better than a ghast-
iy burlesque. Of course like the terre-
tory to which we hope never to emf
crate, it is paved with good intentions.
The loyal and tour. q multitude of pure
hearted citizens, who start the move
ment, are beyond critism. their mo-
riyes and plains are pure and holy
They are crusaders bearing shields
untarnished by dishOnOr, and WELD
inc sWards which have been cOnst-
Grated at the alter of truth and honor.
They see at once as soon as the move
ment be given to take shape, that they
are q raw crowd facing thoroughly
disciplined opposition. Organization
is necessary. But they are new at
such work, and know nothing about it.
They are willing to give money freely,
and as much time, as business will al
low. but these are all they have tC
give. AS soon as they begin to lock
for organizers leaders, men of expert
ence in handling campaign, this
group Of old stagus, who have remain
ed in the back ground, as modest citi-
zsns ready to surrender their all even
their principles for their country, vol,
anteer their services.
Tt Is a crisis of dramatic interest. i
they play there game well they win
and the citizens movement becomes 8
soaring face. From the moment they
assume the executive work and begin
10 OFGduiI6 .YOlt oCC WV Lie
perfect one. The enemy, ramshakl'
one, the reforms. The so-called lea
ders Of reform have been watching TO
lust the opportunity. 1t has come ant
they will work it for all it is worth, s.
there they begin to lay plans to secure
honest government. All at once they
have acquired degree of political in
tiuence Their one object is to, sell on
the citizens movement to fill their owl
pockets, to this end they open nego
teations and make deals with the enc
my, they have something to trade il
and ask q big price for it. The reform
meanwhile think everything is float
ing. They dream of a great moral ul
visiting. That is what they started
and paid their money for the city is t
be taken from our friends, and placet
in the hands Of high minded, honora
BILE, pure hearted citizens. What woul'
they say if they knew that at tina
very moment, the reform leaders wer
in conference with the enemy Thu
you see that the thunder of your popu
lar depressing is all tin thunder, an,
its lightning seldom strikes if eve