The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-05-05
POLITICAL sPolLs SYSTEM.

POLITICAL sPoiLs SYSTEM.
The People Themselves Have Created
tho State Of Affairs.
The spoils system as an agent of
corruption in our government was
discussed by Mr.. William M. Salter
before the Ethical society, Philadel-
phia.
He said: s'There is no charge which
weighs more heavily upon the
thoughtful citizen than that our gov
eminent, intended for the benefit Of
all, is used by q few to serve their
own purposes. When we survey the
history Of governments in the
past, they seem often to have been
devised and perpetuated to satisfy
the ambition and serve the interests
of some individual or family or class.
Iheoretic anarchism has great deal
to say Tor itself, when the past is had
in mind. But American patriots can
say, No matter about the east; we
stand on fresh soil, and with new
ideas to-day; and we will have gov
eminent now, if never there was one
before, that is not for the people to
serve, but that shall serve the people,
'Ihere is accordingly nothing to
be dreaded more than the introduce
ton OF arbitrary rule into the con-
duct OF our government. For persons
who attain TO political power to use
their position to further their private
(aI0 ~,
ously undermine free institutions; it
is to give a tool to the anarchist.
who says that evil attaches to the
very nature of government We OBJ
ject to the old English kings who
distributed offices to their favorites
or as reward for services rendered
to themselves; we applaud the bar
ons, who, in 1915, made King John
promise that he would not appoint
any justices, constables. sheriffs. or
bailiffs. but such as knew the law of
the realm, and meant truly to observe
it, but what difference does. it make
If. instead of a king we have presi-
dents and senators or councilmen
who exercise the old arbitrary pre-
rogative? The fact is, we deceive
ourselves in this country We think
we have got rid OF. old political
abuses, but we tolerate some of the
worst that have ever existed. Not
that it was always so. The fathers
of the republic were. no doubt, men
like ourselves, but they had some
ideals and scruples to which we of
the present day seem to be strangers. :"
Quoting Washington's declaration.
s.ln every nomination l have en-
deavo red to make fitness of charac-
ter my primary object" to show the
principles of the early Republic in
this matter. Mr.. Salter proceeded to
review historically the career of the
! spoils system from the time of j.
/ Quincy Adams. who made two re-
moyals, to the present administra-
/! ton, under which 10000 changes
were made in the postal department.
alone With Andrew jackson begins
the era Of corruption. In two years
this accomplished spokesman made
ten times as many changes as all his
| predecessors had in forty years,
| openly avowing that offices and
emoluments were the spoils of victory.
Defeated in one canvass, at length,
dressed in a little authority. Jack
son began to exercise a truly lordly
power. The spirit that became rife
is indicated in this letter of one Of
flee seeker 30 another: Il hold to
your doctrine fully that no--rascal
who made use OF his office or it's
profits for the purpose of keeping
Mr.. Adams in and General jackson
out of power Is entitled to the least
lenity or mercy. save that of hang
ing. SO we both think alike
on that head. Whether or moi
I shall get anything in the
general scramble for plumber
remains to be proven; but | rather
guess | shall. !" This worthy got the
collectorship of the port of New
York. When, in the course of time.
it became necessary to appoint q
committee to look into his accounts,
and it was found that he had de.
frauded the government Of 81, 225, 600
his place was supplied by the very
man to whom he wrote the letter
quoted! The ball thus set rolling
gathered dirt as it went on During
Van Buren's administration the cos
of collecting the revenues was five
and fourth per cent of the total
whereas under Adams it had beer
but one and one-half per cent.
Lincoln said: s.If ever this FIRE,
people, il this government itself il
ever utterly demoralized, it viii
come from this wriggle and struggle
for Office" Already politics is losin.
it's larger. nobler meaning; it n,
longer signifies the art Of promotin,
: the public welfare by this or tina
line of public policy; as popularl
used, it means the art of winnin;
votes, of carrying elections.
There is but one way to speak Q
all this" said Mr.. Salter 1T is
. shame in our politics. It is not
party question that speak of; it
not an intricate matter of law, abou
which none but specialists can spea.
it is moral question, into tn
right and wrong of which a wayfal
ing man may see. And for all this
: we, the people, are at fault. Tn
: politicians do but take advantage G
: condition that we have Above
them to create. and which continue
o because we keep our hands of. w