St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-04-13
REV. G. III. GAMBLE breaches A
PRELUDE ON ''THE AVAILA-
BILE CANDIDATE"
AT HEBRON BAPTIST CHURCH.
MUST BE vOTE-GETTER, AND
AMENABLE TO "INFLUENCE" +4
WITHAL.
BRAINS ARE AT A DISCOUNT
In the Canvass of Political COnven-
lions for Timber for Their
Tickets at Election.

Character and Conscience in Public Off
Gals" was the subject of prelude delivered
by Rev. G. H. Gamble, of the Hebron Baptist
church. He said
1 am thankful tonight that the available
candidate" is not so much desired as former
ly. ! recognize that man must possess GER
tain qualities of availability to be a possible
candidate, but the term available candidate"
has come to mean two things at least that
have been pernicious: First he must be a
vote-getter." Better qualifications have
been relegated to the background, If only he
could by hook or by crook get the votes.
The result has been that again and again men
have been elected to Office who had no char
acter or ability to fill the office to which they
were chosen. Second, the available candi
date must be amenable to influence. He
must not have too much backbone and fiber.
He must be ready to follow the suggestions
of his friends, even against his conscience. l
am glad that the idea of the necessity of
an available candidate of this sort is pass
Ing away, and that the people are insisting
on character and conscience in public off,
Gals. Character is fundamental to a good
and useful public official. We want men who
have been tested and tried; who have proven
themselves by their life among u.s. A man
who the more he is scrutinized the more We
like him. 1t is the hollow tree reveals its
rotten heart when sounded Not promises
simply make good candidate; for often the
man with least character will make the most
promises, and afterward break them as easily
as he made them. Brilliancy is not of first
Importance, tnOugn we all admire II, ana
often pay court too much to brilliant quail
ties. American politics have repeatedly shown
us our mistake. Aaron Burr was very bril-
liant man. but his name is mentioned today
with ignominy. Character is the all-essential
without which a man should never have your
vote or mine. When man is of true and
tried character and known worth, he should
have our solid support The people Of char
acter should back the man of character as
heartily, steadily and earnestly as the saloon
keeper and men of that ilk back their candi-
date.
The man of character has no conscience
and am persuaded that the time has come
when a public official should act according
to his conscience 1t will be a better guide
in matters that make for righteousness than
any mere policy of party. God speaks to
every man through conscience, as He spoke
to Elijah of old in the ''still small voice.
When we choose man of character to Of
hcial position, We need not fear to give
him free reign, for he will be controlled
by conscience in the administration of his
trust. When the man of character and con-
science fills our. public, offices, the Augean
stables of corruption and filth in our city
VIII soon be cleaned-St. Paul will be
purer, sweeter, more wholesome city, Let
US work for it intelligently, necessarily;
so shall we help to bring to pass the prayer
our Lord has taught us: Thy Kingdom come
thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven
God give us officials of character and con-
science in the city of St. Paul.