The St. Johns herald., 1893-04-13
The Political Boss.

JUGS. ne patent HlaSseS nave Oeen slow to recognize the unpleasant fact and have endeavored to explain, account for, and at times even apol- ogize for his obnoxious presence. They have so far failed to produce a single satisfactory reason for his existence in the practical affairs of government. He has none of the qualities which fit men for the re- sponsible duties of leadership. His executive ability at most is never above mediocrity, and, generally, it is far below that point. As rule, up to the date of his entrance into the arena of practical politics, he has had no training or experience in the administration of public af fairs and, therefore, lacks that men, tai grasp so necessary to the most effective and efficient work in the public service. His statesmanship IS sadly wanting. But the average political boss is not wholly devoid of qualities which at least commend him to his fellows. Often he is an active man of affairs. His acquain- tance with men is extensive; his methods are frequently skillful {; bis reserve power sometimes great. He is always a man of infinite pre- tense. He never hesitates at any thing. It is his effrontery and To- quacity that secure for him a cer- tain prominence, where a more modest and retiring but much more worthy nature must remain unre- cognized. His self-conceit is with out limit. He talks much of what he has done and of what he can do. Nothing is impossible with him. As a political manipulation the ave- rage boss is thoroughly unscrupu
 lous. If he has an ho:est political principle he will not let it interfere with his political ends however dis honest they may be. He is in poli tics to win and the mere matter of principle shall not stand in the way to success. Because of these dis honest methods so frequently em- plsyed by the political boss, one of the dangers which threaten the prac- tical politics of our times and coun- try confronts us, the tendency of which is and must be to keep out of active politics many clean, wise and honest men. Certainly this is not healthy condition of affairs.
 The motives of the political boss are never lofty and disinterested. They are essentially low and sell fish. Usually he is in politics for revenue only. Sometimes he is in quest of political selfaggrandize- ment He is never there solely and exclusively for his country's good. He has no laudable ambition, no devotion to principle, no self-sacri- ficing patriotism. He is at all times and under all conditions and cir cumstances, the constant and abid- ing conservator of his own dearest interests. And to secure them he will hesitate at nothing. It is true that he IS a shrewd and crafty fel- low, fertile in resources, unscrupu lous in methods, hypocritical in motives, without integrity, without large capacity without honor, Why, then, should We tolerate him? Is there need for him? There can be but one answer. It is a travesty on the history of these latter-day pc litical conditions of America that such fungus growth has been d. lowed to exist and flourish. He has no proper place in our midst. He is foreign to the spirit of our insti- tutions. Improve public opinion, demand better requirements for public servants, and thus make the life of the political boss impossible in free America. It can be done. It ought to be done, I believe it will be done.-Duane Mowry in Ameri- can Journal of Politics.
 The exhibit of fine woods at the Worlds Fair bv West Viroinia in