Smyrna times., 1894-07-11
For The Smyrna Times.
Corruption in Our Elections-Stat
and National-and How to
Prevent It.
MR. EDITOR =

Mr.. EDITOR =
In the light of recent political happenings
a communication under the above head was
thought both felicitous and timely. 1t
must be acknowledged by every one that
events have cOnspired of late, to direct the
public eye and shape public opinion on
matter which has been crying evil ever
since the foundation of the republic.
The arrest and conviction of Mckane
and his fellow-criminals, the foul sink of
filth which the Lexow Committee are un-
covering in New York City, and, finally
the moral and social rottenness of some OF
our national representatives and senators,
have indeed been more than enough to
make the true American blush tor his coun-
try, and to create in every human breast
distrust of free institutions.
An inquiry into the cause of this rotten
condition of affairs does not have to go far
to discover the reason. 1t is simply the
| sluggishness of our so-called best citizens"
| concerning primaries. Patriotism seems
| pOwerless to lead men to them. They
simply sit down aad do nothing, and the
worst elements of their party take advan-
tage of their inactivity to seize the helm.
Little wonder, it is, that pandemOnium en-
sues. 1t follows just as naturally as the
| shark seizes his victim and the eagle swOops
down upon his prey. And yet, there is
remedy, which, if put in force, would deal
time serving politicians death blow. Ifa
|
| from exercising his rights at a general cleo
tiOn, unless he could prove he had taken
part in the corresponding primary one" it
would undoubtedly lift American politics
to higher level This plan would work a
good deal more smoothly than the present
registration law. The registrars could be
required by law to do their work at the
primaries and thus the fact of q man 5
name being on the registration list, would
be convincing proof that he had taken
part in his party's primary. OF course the
registrars should be nOn-partisan.
The objection to this plan would lie only
in its hOnesty-and honesty is a stock of
which our politicians are entirely run dry
like an after-electiod whiskey barrel
If this communication shall succeed in
stimulating thought on such an important
subject the writer will be satisfied. He has
not attempted to lay down cut-and-dried
formula only to give the general outline OF
his plan, and leave the filling in to other
hands.
Our progress as a people and nation has
been wonderful and it is our fervent hope
that the past shall be only a harbinger O.
the future. When this nation shall rousC
+ itself in its giant strength and shake off the
, handicaps and chains, which the vicious
} element of machine politicians have
fastened upon our elections, who shal
. bound the heights of moral sublimity anC
! moral grandeur to which the American
eagle shall rise. Like Moses on Nebo
viewing the Promised Land, as the prophe
of the Apocalypse, who explored boil
t heaven and hell by the eye of faith, we shall
= behold spread out before our moral nature
= new sights, grand vistas, sublime posi-
! bilities which shall at last eliminate in tb
!, light about the Throne of God. G.