The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-03-14
To Business Men.
For the Democratic Advocate. ]

For the DEMOCRATIC AuNOEdte-l
While it is never desirable to make business Of
politics it is always desirable that the business ele
ment should be recognized in politics. Men do not
gather grapes Of thorns nor 6gs Of thistles- Much
les can business men hope to have their public
welfare properly guarded by those who have little
interest in and less sympathy with them. It is a
fatally false view TO take Of political matters 10 as
sumo that they require less ability, capabilty and
fitness, than matters OF private moment Indeed,
there are more reasons than one why larger share
Of mental and moral qualification should be de-
handed Of the public officer than Of the private
agent Not only are his duties generally more COM
pick: they are necessarily Of such character and
performed in such sphere as impossible such
scrutiny as is exercised by every prudent business
man over the services OF his employees. In politics
the servant IS for the time, master His aecounta-
bility Is only ultimate and then'to tribunal which
can only punish what the private employer might
have prevented. Nor is the punishment, If it does
not come altogether late, administered by those
who have special qualifications or opportunities for
passing in judgment The people SINAI arbiters are
more reliable in their purposes than in their judg
ment They want their work well done. but they
have no adequate means of determining what is
well 10 be done at the time Of doing and, conse-
quenly are liable 10 constant imposition. Hence
the higher importance of seeking the highest degree
Of fitness and reliability in the choice Of our public
servants.
Adaptability is quite as important as integrity.
Ar excellent advocate may prove inefficient
Judge. good mechanic may fail as an artist. A
faithful nurse may go amiss as a physician. A
thrifty merchant may prove sloycnly farmer, and
vice versa. The candidate for an important trust
ought to be able justify his selection by the exhi-
biiiou of such elements OF character he ought TO
dor, nd - in fIaa
same or kindred pursuits The next best test is
success in spheres that give reasonable promise Of
qualification for the duty sought The third, and by
no means to be despfsed. is a manifestation of un-
tried talents that logically lead tospromse Of fulfill
ment Everybody cannot have experience and
nobody can have il at t: but it is safe to mistrust
the candidate who has given promise in his life
of fitness for the honors TO which he aspires.
He who has established his claim to that conf
dence, in public trust sislatoT, and in execu-
tive function as the custodian OF the most difficult
and complicated federal Office III the state. must
surely measure pretty near the JetIeronian stand
ard. Our candidate for gubernatorial honors and
responsibilities is Carroll county farmer who well
knows every minute point Of the farmers life and
has natural alliance with this hard pressed class.
He has had useful experience in connection with
one of the principal commercial houses OF Balti-
more. His knowledge gained in the establishment
of Sinclair & Co., most oppOrtune educator Of
the future man of Affairs in his struggle with the
problem Of what is best TO be done for all. His Ca
reer at Annapolis, as a member Of the House of
Delegates for four years. marked him possessed
OF clear views Of duty legislator, and intrepid
courage in the performance Of il. If test Of his
executive efficiency could be sought beyond what
was promised so abundaBuy in the development
and actual management Of the largest landed
tate in Maryland. if the rare tact with which he
administered the complicated Affairs OF an estab-
lishment that emulates public departments in the
magnitude of its responsibilities not sufficient
of itself to justify his claim 10 any executive honor
his state might have 70 confer, all possible doubt
and questioning must have been removed BY the
MASTERY which he exhibited the details Of the
Baltimore Post Office. Here he quickly educed
order out OF virtual chaos and gave to the people Of
the Monumental City fulfilled promise of a postal
service commensurate with its demands and worthy
Of its progress Farmer merchant citizen, legislator
public administrator-as we'll and worthily cited 10
sdorti the public station to which public consent
gems 10 point you we join our voice TO the acclaim
II salutatson for Frank Brown. the peoples friend