The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-01
Candidates and Office.

We copy the following from the Charlotte
Gazette one of the most excellent OF our
country exchanges. Although intended u
apply only o. the county OF Charlotte the
words # our contemporary are equally appll-
cable 10 every county IN the State the cleo
tions soon 10 take place being general.
The time is now rapidly approaching, it
SAYS. when the citizens OF the county VIII be
called up0n 20 select those who are To preside
over the interests and administer the laws
which pertain to our local affairs. These are.
first n treasurer of the county. who collects
the as,os ssed taxes. controls the funds and
pays them out on the warrant OF the super
visOrs. Commonwealth attorney, who repre-
sents the interests OF Justice IN our courts,
and a sheriff. who serves the legal processes,
and % whom is often committed the settle
ment Of estates and other trusts.
In the next place. we are to elect super
visor for each of the four maglsterial districts
of the county. whose duty 1t IS 20 provide
ways and means for raising the necessary
revenue examine all accounts and draw their
warrants Tor payment lhen come
the two commissioners for the TWO
districts IF tie county, who assess the real
and personal property Of each taxpayer ~
accordance with the levy made by the super
yisors. Next. the local magistrates three IN
each OF the four districts whose duty 1t Is 20
hear complaints and administer tho laws,
then an Oyerseer OK the poor Tor each district,
and a constable 90 serve minor legal proc sses.
From tine eageruess with which most. II not
ALL these positions are sought, II would
appear that either peculiar honor or remu-
neration is attached 10 them. Ii has been
well said that public Office is public
trust: but with too many It seems 70 be
held only a5 a means Of livelihood. The
subject Of our elections aud the method ot
the ballot has often been the occasion u
bitter controversy The manner Of select
inc candidates whether IN mass-neeting or
by party nomination, or by personal Offering
of individuals Is of 10 small importance 10
il ALLEGED that national politics are of DO ac-
count in a county election, and tAat the
influence of citizens and rings ls more potent
in a convention than in u mass meeting IL Is
10 be regretted that IN whatever manner se-
lected. the methods adopted by those amoi-
tiou, Of Office. are too often highly question:
ole. and supported rather by personal interest
than regard for the public good
IL is not infrequently the ease that change
of iucumbents of Oliice IS supposed 10 be a
remedy for the burden of taxation. OF IN
sufficient administration. or other alleged
evil. But it Is sometimes the case that bun
pry Oihce-seckcrS are more likely 10 draw
heavily on the public than well-fed office
holders. and that the experiment of an uu-
tried man may prove more costly than one
who has had experience.
What we would now especially urge Is the
Importance of selecting lit men for our
county Offices Because a man needs the
emoluments Of Office tor the support OF his
family. is not q legitimate claim, nor yet,
because, BY reason of personal popularity,
he is able b secure an election. II the one
presulnes upon the charity Of the community,
the other reflects upon its honesty aud pa
triotism. The man who by strict and faithful
discharge * his duty. proves himself a good
officer. may not always advance bis personal
popularity, but he may still have valid claims
We are Democrat and believe in the in
tegrity Of the Democratic party; il is OF the
utmost importance that its organization be
proservcd. Every evil complained Of by
farmers and wOrkingmen can be more effect
uaIly remedied by the success of the Denoc-
racy than IN any other way. The cOlored
peonle. could they see their true interests.
would range themselves under the banner Of
Democracy ~,
But II is of the utmost Importance that
every candidate for office should be n man Of
sound moral principle, honest conscientious,
and faithful. Above all things he should be a
temperate man. If his habits are low, and be
uniits himself for the discharge Of public
duty by intemperance or the habitual use Of
Intoxicating drink he is not fit 70 be entrust-
cd with the responsibilities of any public
nfhaA