The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-29
RISE AND DECLINE OF PARTY
SPIRIT.


II 10 not unnatural in q free govern
ment that there should oe differences
touching men and measures, and when
such differences do exist the formation
Of two or more parties follows ae logi-
cal consequence. Alignment in oppoa-
ing ranks arocses the mbstivenesc in
human nature. and the contention for
victory 10 liable to excite q spirit Of
hostility. 1t often takes intelligent
NON some time to learn that those who
think otherwise than they do on public
questions are sincere and patriotic.
There have been times in the past OF
party contests when men of the SINGER
est patriotism have been regarded by
political opponents "a hardly less than
public enemies.
During Wsshington's terms there was
no party organization, and very little
feeling that leads to it, but there was
much opposition to the policy OF the
elder Adams, and inchoste formation
Of parties. Feeling ran high in the con-
test Of 1900 and the organization OF
parties, called Federal and Republican
followed, and Under thsse names popu-
lar division continued with a manifesto
tion Of more or less epirit for quarter
Of . century, but party spirit so de-
slined that the last term of President
Monroe has been called the hacyon
period Of our politics. Party lines were
broken in 1924, but the coalition Boz
tween the friends of the younger
Adams and Mr., Clay produced no in
considerable luminosity, and the rise OF
q more intense party spirit and the re-
organisation OF parties under new
names.
During nearly forty years after the
government was organized under the
constitution removals from Office on &C
count Of party afilistien was not q
principle in any party creed. Jefferson.
who up to 1928. was she most partisan
Of all our presidents, WAS sparing in re-
movals, and in no case was it avowsdly
done TO give place TO . supporter of his
Reconsideration.
0snsrAl Jackson came to the presi
denoy ON q wave of excited feeling
which resulted from msny causes. Be.
ing man Of positive ohsracteristics,
and impressed with the doctrine de-
olared BY William L. Marcy that "tc
the victors belong the spoils," he frs,
carried IL into effect by removals from
and appointments to office for partisan
reasons. This doctrine was dominant
mp to the time Of the war Of the rebsl-
lion. President Lincolns in the dispen-
sstion Of patronage, made no distinction
between Rspu blicans and war Demo.
crats, but Mr.. johnson tried to fill the
Offices with mon who were supporters oil
his policy. During General Grants
terms there was much party feeling,
and patronage was dispensed to men oil
his party quite exclusively. 1t was dur
ing his first term that civil service re.
form WAS suggested, and the first etep
taken to introduce and experiment 1t
with It.
The principle of dealing out offices to
none but psrtissns is fuel to the flame
OF party spirit. Il ia bribery to induce
partisan work. At times the practice
has been carried to such an extent that
partisan service hse eubordinated every
other consideration, The dirtier the
work. If effective, entitled the performer
to the highest political rewards. To
this may be traced much of the irrsgu-
larities and corruption OF our politics,
and but for official and money rewards q
condition OF political purify would be
easily achieved; indeed. it il probable
that purity would he the universal re-
suit.
There are political services that should
bs rewarded. In all SELECTIONS there are
Issues of greater or less importance.
Work in propagatIng just principles and
In securing the adoption OF wise meas :
urss should be recognized for the bene-
Ats II bestows upon the public offices in
which policies are controlled or influ
snced, should be held by those favor,
able to the views of the people as Last
expressed. Submission to popular judy
msnt 10 the basis and safeguard OF free
government. Policies and nessures are
controlled or influenced in legislative
bodies, and IN the administrative de-
psrtments. But the work in by far the
greater number Of phases 10 clerical, rou
tine. OF special. and in which no princi-
. pies are involved but those OF honesty
capability and faithfulness. What il
best for the country 10 that such duties
shall be performed we'll, and that the
Offices shall not be used to compensate
for political work. for partisan service.
Stability OF tenure assures indepe denci
Of convictions and the best public Ger
vice. II helps to strengthen manhood
while the opposits polics weakens man-
.ood and demoralizes character.
In ordinary times expenditure Of this
public money 10 tbs most important
subject. Appropriations are made by
law, bus disbursements to an extent
rests IN the Judgment and discretion Of
sficsrs appointed to discharge that duty
such % commissioners and boards o.
managers, and these officers are numsr-
ous. II il proof of the decline OF party
spirit that these sommissions and board.
ars By. Law required 70 be filed by rep
'tsssatativss frsm The different parties