St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-19
BROADEN THAT BASE.

1Hc lcttcE III WHICH Lll0 cHdlEufdN OIL
the Democratic state central committee
rendered his resignation from it en-
phasizes the position taken by the
GLOBE, that the base of the party should
be broadened il its uprightness is to be
maintained. 1t also emphasizes what
the GLOBE has said as to the effects for
evil on the fortunes of any party bur-
dened with the distribution of federal
patronage.
Until some heaven-sent genius comes
to give us some better method of filling
these offices than that which now pre-
walls in all parties, and which follows
changes of administration either be-
cause OF that or through the operation
OF natural causes; or until the better
time comes when the people will accept
the idea generally that tenure Of office
should depend only OH faithfulnesS of
service, as it does in any other business.
the distribution of Office will be coll
slant source of irritation.
If good judgement, unselishness, pub
"Reminiscences, wisdom should alone
guide the recommendations and ap-
polntments under the present methods,
still friction would be unavoidable !;
while if personal advantage. or the use
OF power to reward purely personal
services or to punish offenders, regard
less of the public or the party's welfare,
be the controlling motive, the irritation
is sure to grow into open and disruptive
revolt.
1t is the Interest and duty of all polit-
ical organizations to guard themselves
against the dangers of such a method of
distributing what is aptly and correctly
called the spoilS, and TO see that the
primary purpose Of the Office is kept
constantly in yiew-the good service of
the public. Under the present bad sys-
TEN, which makes it necessary that the
appointive power shall rely OH the rep
resentatives of the party for commenda-
ton of fit appointees. method practi-
cally unavoidable now, it is for the in
terests of those representatives, as well
as Of the party, that they discharge that
responsibility with aiview to the good of
the service, the welfare of the party,
and, where it is possible, only after
those immedi ately concerned have been
consulted and their majority wish ascer-
tanned.
The word '.Doss" is offensive to the
ears of every cltlZens Leaders there
must be as long as mem are as unequally
endowed as now. but the difference be-
tween the leader and the boss is vast
one. The true leader is readily recog-
nized by his fellows and willingly fol-
lowed. because his ability and character
inspire confidence in him. The leader
of men leads because he persuades and
convinces them that the course ne ad-
vises is rightand the best. He does not
avoid, but he seeks, consultation and adj
vice. He yields wisely: he resists with
persuasion and argument. He is more
careful to be right than he is to be sue
cessful. because he knows that 'sthrice
is he armed who hath his quarrel just"
because he knows that he who stands
on ground rock-laid with right will
command the confidence and support of
his people.
It is for this that we urge the broad
ening of the base of our party. We urge
that the selection of persons for federal
appointments, from the highest in the
| state to the lowest, be left to the largest
| possible number of those interested in
the service OF the Office. Widen out the
responsibility. Put the pyramid OH its
base, not on its apex. No one man
| should dare to assume a right 10
exercise arbitrary power; no admin
lstration of any party should per-
nit any one man to do it if he would
and no party should permit such con.
dition to exist without vigorous pro-
test. made regardless of its effectiveness
for any other purpose but to vindicate
its own self-respeet. We are glad that
the state committee has seen the evils
| inevitably incident to the present con-
ditions, and has taken the preparatory
steps towards correcting them; and we
trust that the plan of organization
which the committee is charged with
preparing will be drawn from beginning
| to end with the view of broadening the
base of the party by leaving more power
and responsibility to the rank and file OF
the party.