The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-02-15
THE BOSS" In POLITICS.

From the Baltimore News
The boss is the most powerful factor
in American politics; and yet he is ire
sponsible. He belongs not to the legis-
lative, the executive, or the judicial
departments of the government The
founders of our constitution, the sages
who drew the instruments under which
our present governments are carried
on, apparently had no idea that bossism
would evolve from the product of their
wisdom, and they make no provision
for calling to account an officer power
full enough to appoint all the officers
whose duties they defined, but holding
no official position himself. The law
provides for the frequent election OF
mayors and governors, with a view to
holding them to a strict accounta bility,
but the man who rules and moves the
mayor fills no place for the mismanage-
ment of which he can be impeached
and is never called upon at an election
to give an account of his handling OF
his power.
The boss sits in retirement. He
never even talks to a reporter unless
he gets the big head or loses his nerve,
The successful boss, whose word is
law, gives his orders and is obeyed.
While he seldom goes far enough in de-
fiance of public opinion to risk very
much, yet he never puts himself in the
way of inviting public criticism by pub
lie discussion of his views and aims.
He knows the less he is heard Of the
more he can do.
The boss is the last outcome of the
spoils system. His growth begins as
small dealer in ward offices. In the
great cities he finds congenial atmos.
phere. He generally begins his career
by acquiring influence among his
neighbors and his sfellow-workmen: or,
if he is a saloonkeeper, first among
his customers. He takes part in the
primaries, follows leader in primary
fights, throws his votes as he is told
and becomes one of the boys" When
he reaches point where he owns
certain number of votes and has a fol-
lowing of ''heelers" whom he can
control, he becomes a power in the
ward.
He can then demand and obtain an
office. From the organization that
rules the ward he is promoted to mem
bership on the central or executive
committee of his party. He becomes
one of the small group called the
ring" which pulls the wires all over
the city, runs the conventions. picks
out the candidates. arrauges the
States and which aims not only to
hold Office but to garrison all the city
and state and national Offices with
mercenary workers.
At this stage of his career the COM
ing boss begins to make money He
is now in the position 10 influence tho
letting OF contracts and to get share
in the proceeds of the sale of legisla-
ton His fortune begins TO grow and
he sees riches before him
Some one person in the ring gradu.
ally obtains a paramount influence
over the others. He pulls more wires
works more successfully upon the
weaknesses of his fellow members. un-
dermines successfully his strongest
rivals. He becomes the boss
The boss can afford to do without 10
office There are enough people anxious
10 buy his influence to keep him in re-
eeipt of a good income.
His influence is, of course, for sale.
A man does not work to be boss for fun.
How is this state OF things TO be
met? II you bribe mayor you can
he nuuished and so can tha hrihea