The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-11-27

:,
Iknnckle under to the spowera that be-"
This style Of vacillation Ia fed ~ that
jail powerful feeling self interest.
Editors know which side Of their bread
is buttersd, and they know that It is an
allowable and proper thing to inveigh
against ring rule and all its attendant
evils in general way, because by SO
doing they do not run counter to public
opinion, or seriously interfere with the
status Of the bosses, but they are very
shy about saying anything calculated
to embitter those of their own party
who are high in power. Were the
''independent" political journals at all
times as independent as they profess to
be, their influence for good in the line
Of reform might be greater. Although
their ability to mould public opinion is
greatly magnifed, yet they could by q
strict forward unfinching course
accomplish great deal more than they
do. Strictly party papers (whether
protesting to be Independent or nof)
may not inaptly be classed amongst the
fins" They are to all intents and
purposes as much identified with the
success Of the dominant party as the
oficehoiders. Without receiving any
fixed salary, yet they derive much Of
their income from political sources, and
their circulation ana support are govern
ed in great degree by the manner in
which they deal with public questions
and public men, and hence they are
guarded in their utterances and are
careful to give as little offense to the
bosses as possible, and at the same time
retain the name Of independent"
There is another influence that re-
tards the march Of reform probably as
much rs all others. and that is fealty to
lparty. Experience teaches us that
i when once identified with either of the
two great political organizations Of the
country, men seldom desert, unless .
chance Of advancement is discovered.
j Then they 60 in hurry. We have
4 living instances Of this in our county,
but the most charitable construction to
iput upon these motives, is that they
suddenly received new light. This
4 kind of conversion is rare. Few men
are able to see far enough into the
future to justify the sundering Of old
| ties, else there would be more changes.
Advancement is what the average
/ politician is after, and the chances oil
! advancement are much greater in the
party than out Of it, and consequently
], it lie much safer to remain in, but even
BY remaining the chances Of winning
+ are very uncertain.
II The science of politics as conducted
in latter years is little understood by
. the majority of voters, and even those
. who make it a study are often deceived
To secure place on the ticket one
must receive the sanction ofthe manag
. ers, and to do that guarantee Of loyalty
is required. Theoretically, the positions
Of trust are given to those who are
thought to be best qualified to ell them,
but practically they are gwen to such
as can be relied upon to do the bidding
Of the bosses, and from the very con-
dition ofthings originates what is called
the reform movement, and were it CON.
Quoted in proper manner and by
capable and unselish leaders, it would
meet with more success.
il There is still another class Of
politicians who are at times in favor of
reforming things. It has become
fashionable for men who are defeated
at the primaries to show their disap
pointment BY refusing to support the
ticket they have assisted to make, and
some go to such extremes as to work
for its defeat. Every election brings
to the surface some OF this kind, but
they are seldom numerous or influential
enough to be much felt or feared, and
may be likened to children at play, who
are COMMENTED and happy when success
full but become sullen and morose when
defeated. These, like old Pink, being
lett out in the cold, begin to talk
strongly of the need of reform-but
generally their dissatisfaction is short
lived as they are shrewed enough to sec
that the chances Of prefement are much
greater in the party than out OF it. They
are called soreheads. Their malady il
however only superficial and cannot be
located much below the scalp. as it
yields to the softeuing influences Of
time and mild treatment, as readily A.
the trihing ailments of younger children