The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1893-08-24


stream should flow until the political
sea is as pure as the source from whence
it came. When the people find it neces-
sary to make change, all should go
and make room for new and clean ma
terial in sympathy with those who are
chosen to take charge of the govern
ment for they alone are responsible to
the people. OSSIAN.
Xxx
Political party leaders, always de-
mand of those they have placed in pow
er, some compensation for their trouble
The result is that the heads of their op-
pOnentS fall. No matter how faithful
they have served their country, they
must be removed to make room for the
friends of the victor. Men that have
become adept in the performance of
their public duties are ruthlessly cast
aside like Worn-Out tools. Green men
are substituted. Consequently the
tenure of office is so uncertain that it
is regarded as a mere makeShift. The
holder comforts his conscience by as
suming, if he doesn't crack the nuts
someone else will. If one is found to
be true to his trust, the country should
keep him in its service as long as he
chooses to serve it honestly. Such are
patriots. This republic needs patriotic
servants to stem the tide of corruption
that runs rampant through its civil
service. &C.
Xxx
1t is not denied that under free gov
ernment political parties are unaVOida-
BILE. Where there is freedom of
thought and action there will be differ
ent views on political questions. Parties
are not an evil; so long as they struggle
for ascendency on the platform of
principle there is no danger; held in
proper check and under normal con-
ditiOns, they are safeguards to our in
stitutions. In fact, party, and the desire
for power is what makes our inStitu-
tiOns what they are. The danger comes
when principle is no longer the wager
of BATTLE" or when the parties lose
sight of them in their scramble for pow
er and place. So strong is the tendency
to such decentralization, that good men
having once gained position through
party or principle, are often found to
lapse from their former loyalty and en-
deavOr to remain in power for personal
ends. That is where wrong steps in
and destroys principle and honest aims.
BRIGHAM.
XXX
Business is business. There is no
more gigantic and important business
in this republican country than that of
government in its minor Details All
the subordinate clerks, bOOk-keeperS,
messengers and other minor employees
of Uncle Sam, are part and parcel of a
vast easily controlled machine. No in
telligent merchant will discharge his
entire force of employees because they
are democrats when republican gov
ernOr is elected. He would lose valuable
time and much money drilling new
lot Of underlings into familiarity with
inevitable routine. BY all means change
the heads of bureaux and departments,
but hold on to all the good and faithful
rank and file. The people are poor
enough now without wasting millions
swapping horses every four years. AS
surance of his position insures good
work from an honest man; but the in
and-out policy would make even saint
go for all in sight-at whose expense
Most surely at the expense of the
people. r. F.
***
AS with the individual, so with the
nation; if spoils they will have, then
for spoils they must pay. We who are
here, are reaping the fruits Of our sys-
tenn, but the nations harvest has not
yet begun. One is as legitimate as the
other, for both are dishonest. Merit
alone, should be the criterion of fitness
for public Office. No person is worthy
of public trust who sinks behind party
rather than upon principle. The people
want principle behind their business
The party who cry "spoils!" care moth
ing for aught else; spoils they want,
and unless the people insist on principle
spOils they will have. 1t will not be