The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-29
SEATTLE. SUNDAY, SEPT. 30.
PARTIsANsHIp IN CIVIC AFFAIRS.

We have repeatedly urged that the char
acter and fitness of candidates for munic-
ipai Office should not be gagged by the
rame standards as for legislative or judi
cial position. This Is the application OF
the business principle in local government.
but It does not follow that partlsanship is
20 be neglected or rejected.
Indeed, this Is a government by party
and II will remain 50 until human nature
changes. Party responsibility Is as desr-
able as individual responsibility. The
American character despises mugwump-
ism. halflbreedism. spotted-eggism. butter
milk Democratism--the bastard offspring
OF political miscegenation. Americans be-
lleye in principles. IN their stalwart advo-
eacy and their steadfast maintenance
And there is nothing in the genius OF mu-
nioipal government which makes II less
susceptible TO partisan influences than that
OF county. state or nation. The error does
not lie in partisanship. bat IN the failure
20 discriminate between those who are
psrtlsans for ONCE only and partisans from
principle.
The party which fails TO make the dis
elimination cannot fail to lose public con
fldenee. which means simply a falling or
Of It's own power or majority. If the
Methodist church should select Tor its
treasurer ono whose only Recommendation
were his jealous piety. & might find It's
business badly managed. The remedy
would seem TO be to use better judgment
In its selection from It's own membership.
but % 50 outside or its own congregation.
70 the Prcsbyterlans or the Catholics.
would De either rank folly or an adnais-
sion that It was shocklngly deficient in
material
When. therefore. we urge that special
Qualification should be tho Arst consllera-
ton. We do not admit that better material
can he had by going outside or party lines.
bat Insist that business considerations
should prevail within them. II party or
sanitation falls into the hands % those
who seek to subordinate principle 20 SELF
acknowledgements and suffers corrupt g in-
competent mon 20 use party merely rs a
stepping stone 20 reach their own psfar-
ious ends. public welfare may Justify re-
fpsai - become aidors or abettors
We believe ia party responsibility. We
believe tn placing upon party the onus of
selection. No party Is worthy ~ ooas.t.
Grafton whose end IS not the rue,,.c qo5i.
ana no party s. enu9ci 20 rabr. casa-
denee which has not sufficient Judgment
- reach those ends by che selection q
suitable ana efficient means.
II local affairs, We have exrs~fe7~,4
some % ths u'seaiess ~ divided res2ens.-
h.uty sNd makeshlu compromise. Tho
charter ~ the city - Seattle a ratrs-
work 81 Republican ard peu7--atle prir-
etples whica viii uot harm,alze. The
eraEy qu'it has ~ alsce IN the symmetry
OF TIE universe. is Ero,csQne contrasts
come Within TIE range % osd huror. sat
not In the design Of intelligent DISPLAY
Il has been claimed f>r mixed assem-
blles that ,hs check sror3~a promote.
pusiia security. Rut in pvac,i>e e. Is
found thas ;hs best results are had when
the check is 81 the outside o. onee. not
inside irrespoas.aly tAwartsnE sustained
action and rooblng ne puhac ~ SIS rlgst
10 hold party 20 a strict accountability.
Andrew jackson Is reported 70 have saii
= boy: = desire 70 see yoa grow Up a
Eood Democrat. then you are sure u Re A
good eitlren." TA,s s bad logic. ara il
would not have been any better n he haa
kaii Republican" our chicf ,r,nslA ys
that SEQ cften We pat men IN oHaes BE-
cause ihey are "soo3 Democrat<." or
''gco1 Republicans" without frs; assuring
ourselves that they are rcoa citizens. NJ
party organization can become worse thaa
IS party except ~ taat party's failure 70
Go its duty. \ had tickle; can always Be-
beaten, and Il Is sometimes necessary %
repair neglect sn1 defes, a'iscsiss ~ sub
hitting 20 temporary advantage for Tire
opposition. When tae people make u2
their minds that elections are for the pur-
rase q choosing Soe1 orl-.als and as; zee