The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-19
TOday'S Election.

Although public discussion of the
candidates to be voted for today, in
this city, has been confined mainly to
those who aspire to enter councils, it
is we'll to remember that the position
of alderman is one of equal Importance.
The requirements of a good alderman
are not few nor insignificant As the
first recourse of most persons who suf-
fer from injustice, it makes very ma
terlal difference 10 the public welfare
whether he be Il just, level-headed and
even-tempered man with sufficient
knowledge of the law to guard him
against the commission of technical
mistakes: or whether, upon the other
hand, he be ignorant, obstinate, un-
scrupulous in his administration or neg
lectful of his sworn duties. There is no
spot in our judiciary 50 much in need
of Strengthening as is the petty magis-
tracy, for it is here that nne-tenths
OF the trouble originates, which after
ward projects itself into the public
pocketbook in the form of growing
court costs.
The voters of the First, Second,
Eighth and Fifteenth wards in this
city who will today ballot for aldermen
should bear the foregoing thoughts in
mind. They have doubtless, ere now,
been solicited to vote for this or that
candidate because his name is found
on certain party ticket. Now if he be
a good man for the place, this is a
credit both to him and to the party
naming him. We believe that in the
majority of cases this is true on both
sides of the party line. We know it to
be true of some of the Republican can
didates, and have heard no ill word
spoken of the others. Yet each voter
must, after all, pass on these points
himself. The voters of a given ward
know the candidates in that ward bet
ter, perhaps, than a newspaper can
know them. These voters should study
the various candidates claims with
care, and should select that one who
will, If elected, render the best services
to the ward and to the community.
The claim of party loyalty should be
valid when the nominee in whose be-
half 1t is urged is worthy of the party;
otherwise, it should be unhesitatingly
dismissed.
Voters today will, in this city, choose
district election officials. These Of
ficials, consisting of a judge and two
inspectors, will serve for an entire year,
and will thus have an important bear
ing upon the forthcoming municipal
election one year henGe. When we cnn-
slider that the success or the failure of
the complicated present election law de-
pends very largely upon the kind of
judge and inspectors of election chosen
in each district, the importance of Sc
lecting capable men for these offices
becomes easily manifest. The voter to-
day should not. therefore, glide over
this portion of his ticket in careless
manner. as if Indifferent to whether
the ensuing elections shall be honestly
conducted or not. He should not vote
for men for either position who would,
If elected, hold back returns for doc
toring purposes or wink at false count
ing; nor should he delude himself with
the idea that a party Endorsement can
make an honest candidate out of a
notorious bully, tough and thug. The
voter who has a serious purpose in the
casting Of his ballot should exercise
as much care in the choice of these
officers as he would exercise If he were
voting for the president of the United
States the governor Of the state or the
mayor of Scranton.
This is day with serious meanings
for those who value good local govern
ment.