The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-05-09
GET BACK TO FIRST PRINCIPLES.

mans extremity Is GOQS OppOrtu-
nity." No sacrilege is intended in APP
plying this axiom to the present status
of the two leading political parties.
One year of Democratic rule has landed
the party on the verge of most dire
extremity. What the remaining three
years may bring round remains to be
seen, but they will certainly afford
opportunity to put the Republican house
through the average individual lifetime
should give a clear insight into the
needs and requirements of the people.
knowledge acquired in the school of
patience, though sometimes dearly
bought, is better than the rules laid
down in text books or the made-to-order
theories Of learned political economists.
We, know, or should know, the weak
points in our system of finance, OF
tariffs, of civil service, of the present
means of protecting the ballot, OF our
method of securing representation IN
congress, of our system of creating and
maintaining the judiciary, OF conduct
ing the mail service, of the making and
disbursing of almost interminable APP
preparations for current expenses and
internal improvements, of the practice of
granting subsidies to public and private
enterprise, and last but not least, our no.
toriously defective system of dispensing
patronage. The vacation-for we as
sumo it is only a vacation-from con-
troll of the executive and legislative
branches of the government leaves the
party of Sumner and Lincoln abundant
leisure to mature policy, even more
complete and practical than that which
has achieved so much in the past. The
to build upon a substratum
of old fashioned honesty is indeed most
inviting. This presupposes that there
is such a thing as strict integrity in
party politics, and we believe there is.
The bowling demagogue who charges
official corruption upon every man in
office is dangerous member of society.
IL is well TO remember, however, that
abuses have crept into all administra
Jions, and that no party is safe from the
designs OF scoundrels and place hunters. |
The abuse of power takes on its worst |
form in the trickster who places his in
1ividual interest above his official oath. |
The man who is not above suspicion is
poor material for candidate for public |
office, and the place to determine that is |
1t the primary.
Another source of corrupt rule is in
sacrificing the general good for party as
'endancy. This can only appear justifi-
lble when the premises are false.
Founded upon false principles, Illicit
may seem expedient for the
lime, but the man or the party who is |
packed by truth need never utter false
iood by voice or by vote in indication of
he course which is open and frank.
There is time worn maxim that "Truth
always consists, lie never does"
There is an element of danger in the
Prestige given to so-called doubtful
tates." We now have the pitiable spec
acle OF every item of legislation being
dominated by New York, and that state
ield viceiike in the grip of Tammany.
t brings humiliation to every law abid-
ng citizen to know that this vile horde
5 in position to dictate the political and
policy of the country.
When the strength of parties is so equal
y adjusted that a few illiterate brutal
hugs can control the balance of power,
urely it is time for the better element of
ii parties to bury their stencil beneath
n avalanche of votes, even beyond tie
Iope of resurrection.
The great cities of the country are in
he hands of alien corruptionists and
who pay no taxes and care
othing for our laws save as they can
Use them for private gain. These cities
S rule, control their respective states
nd thus the nation. Let those who feel
ecure in the belief that the majority is
ways right take not too freely of the
JUNCTION. To those who ana
we the vote, and observe the tendency
the times, it looks quite like an epoch
American history. There will. at
EAST, be cause for the Republicans to in
ugurate some of the reforms so Justify
romised bv the incompetent crew now E.;
command, but imbecile and helpless,
ven with an undispated majority. :
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