The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-25
PARTISANISM IN POLITICS.
An Argument Based ON the Idea Of
Control by the Dominant Party.


An Argument Based ON the Idea Of
Control by the Dominant Party.
To the Editor Of the indianapolis Journal:
In the present vigorous and timely dis
cussion of what is called the "spoils sys-
tenn the partisan" element labor under
some disadvantages, aside from the merits
OF the principle involved First, the sys-
tenn as practiced in the past has been some
times abused, and hence stands discredited.
This fact has aided the ''reformers' in
creating the popular impression that the
chief motive of those who advocate party
control Is necessarily sordid selfish, mer-
cenary and unrepublican. They are forced
to hear themselves constantly stigmatized
az "spoilsmen,'' offensive partisans'' and
the like, the inference and conclusion being
that all strict partsans have but one in
centive--an unholy lust for party spoils,"
unjustly and alphabetically so-called.s
AS conscientious believer in majority
control l wish to enter a protest against
the violent assumption that because the
Democratic party and the British nobility
have abused their privileges, partisanism
Is therefore necessarily wicked, corrupt
nepotistic, vicious and devilish. 1 believe
| express the sentiment OF all earnest and
intelligent partisans when I say their plea
contemplates the only successful method
of conducting popular government
In a series of articles in the Atlantic
Monthly several years ago Mr.. Oliver r.
Morton made very able argument in sup
port of civil-service reform, the merit plan
OF securing ''nonpartisan appointments -
But he failed in one very important thing
to make II clear how republic can be
successfully run without the develop
ment and judicious application OF partisan
methods and partisan spirit Perhaps the
limitations OF mis- discourse would not per-
init him to adequately set forth the beauties
ana adI y s,n Of his Ideal republc
be plain to all: that this American Re-
public has fourished phenomenally under
outstanding the falsehoods and croakings
OF demagogues, mugwumps and alien So
ciaiists our civil service has grown to be
known.
The most sanguine OF us are apt to ex-
domestic or pertaining to the public serv-
ice: A while ago we were glad to pay half
70 aoar 10 ae IN hack from the staten
Increased and we rode In mule car for "a
nickel. Then we began to clamor for
quicker service, The. trolley system
tail car was denounced disgrace to
And now we are srowlng about et the 5acent
fare, and are lampooning the government
because. we have to pay 2 cents to send a
The spirit of pessimism Is abroad, and we
may next look for the skinny-visaged ire
former" to send a petition to the Lord de-
manding that He get move" on the SLOW
processes of evolution.
o the nonpa partisan, idea originated with
ready ceased to believe in party organiza-
tons. All their arguments tend TO disin-
tesrate parties, and hence are antagonistic
TO Republican methods. Who can imagine
republic without parties? And who can
conceive OF parties without partisan spirit?
dahs,. is strong convictions; leadershilps
which incites the people to ''read up" on
questions whose solution would otherwise be
left to professional politicians and the ex-
Founders OF Bellamistic socialism. Parti-
san spirit has been abused, distorted and
misunderstood Properly interpreted, it inn
pies cOnsc1entfousnesS as opposed to du-
piicity, loyalty as opposed to treachery,
visilance as opposed to lethargy, and pa
triotism as opposed to nonpartisanism.
If parties grow corrupt in republic it is
the peoples privilege and duty to make a
system Is party emulation and party re-
form. II the defeat OF a party incidentally
displaces some capable officials they should
submit gracefully. feeling that their punish
ment Is only vicarious, and remembering
that plenty of good men. stand ready 10
keep them and their miigwump sympathiz-
ers from worrying about the public service.
The writer Is not much of an idealist, but
ne believes most sincerely that the time
will come In this Republic when both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans will understand that
the most sensible as well as the most eff
ssaelpss and i aHao'a0's the 0as'a esly
lease of power is to deserve it at the hands
of the people. | also hope. to see the day
longer be logically driven TO the humiiat-
ing confession that the only way TO make
an official board discharge its duties faith
fully is to construct it upon the plan OF
setting thief to catch a thief; that is
putting one rascal on salary to watch an
other salaried rascal
l confess that do not understand the
term nonpartisan as recently applied In
American politics. If placing two members
OF the dominant party and one of the de-
feated party on board does not make the
board nonpartisan the word is a misnomer
II one Democrat OF. such 81 board doesn't
constitute a nonpartisan element the infer
ence is that the two Republican members
have absorbed his political Individuality
cripple the efficiency of the board The fact
is, q strictly nonpartisan service would have
to be performed by political nondescripts
that is To- say, mugwumps. And it is gen.
orally conceded that a political eunuch is
the most conspicuous type of inefficiency tc
be found In a republic.
In the present controversy the advocates
of party control have been unfortunate in
having the Journal against them. and still
popular Interpretation tby perhaps a major
ity of the State press) of the party's plat
FORM The whole matter hinges on the ex-
act limitations of the term .'nonpartisan u
The Rushville contingent has declared that
the popular understanding is and has beer
that board composed of two members OF
the dominant party and one member of the
defeated party would be a uonpartisaI
board. The strict construcfionists deny this
and assert that the unequal representation
on such a board would make it partisan, and
that the only nonpartisan board is the one
on which both parties are equally repre-
sented A member of the present Legisla-
ture has aptly suggested that the highest
form of nonpartisan representation would
make the board consist of one Republican
one Democrat, one mugwump. one Popuis
and Prohibitionist And there you are
The question remains, Does a nonpartisar
plank mean nonpartisan board? Blu
whatever be the solution of that PickwiclS
great fact. namely: That the safest boart
must have working majority of Repub
leans Upon it: and lots of people believe
that that is exactly what the Indiana voter.
meant last fall N'hen they sent a strict,
partisan" delegation to the Fifty-fourtl
Congress. j. G. OCHILTREE.