San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-16
PUT GOOD MEN IN OFFICE.

In nothing can the interests Of tn,
Republican party be more advanced
than by a careful scrutiny at Wash
ington, by the heads of all depart
ments, of the personal and public rep
utations Of those whom they advance
to positions of trust. The Republican
party in Texas is confronted will
grave conditions, as to the character
of appOintees to office. The patronage
of the state has ever been in the hands
of those to whom public office was q
means Of personal aggrandizement Ol
honor or emOlument. 1t has been the
reward Of services, not of the most
honorable kind, but Of those that hon
Orable men would not stoOp to per,
form. The state today is weak in its
RepublicaniSm. because its strength
has been Slapped by leeches who have
made the party their prey. Who
with no true sentiment of patriotism
no concern for the party beyond what
it would yield them, have ground I'M
der their heel all that in its nObler as
piratiOnS for the party on account of
its principles opposed their preteu-
SiOnS. That the same rush is going to
be made for place now is only too ap-
parent. Men not qualified for office,
men who have betrayed the party to
its enemies whenever it suited their
personal ambitions to do 50,
men who have sold out when gain
could thereby be garnered for them
selves. these men are pushing to the
front as though they were the divine
ly chosen instruments of good for the
salvation of Il party that they have
fOreOrdained to damnatiOn by every
one of their political acts. 1t is time
that the present head of the party in
Texas took Il stand against tine pcStif-
erOus horde that on every accession of
the party to power, force themselves
upon the attention of the appointing
power, drawn thereto by the fond
hope of Spoils. The Republican party
in Texas is not polling One-half of its
legitimate vote on account of these
things. 1t is being stripped of its re-
Spectability, its credit with the people
of the state, its power of growth from
administration to administration. In
stead of having one-half of its state
representation Republican one it is
represented by one member in the
lower House at Washington. 1t is as IA
state unorganized Republicanly, has
no cohesion or attraction that will
strengthen it within and add to its
numbers from without. Its party
principles are the principles of the
majority of the voters Of the state. but
it does not cast - per cent of the state
vote on account of its own inherent
incompetency, weakness and cOrrup-
ton. Careful scrutiny is asked Of
every applicant for office, and it is on
~ dShtu III lllt lultItSJ VI an lllSlOi
and stronger and more efficient state
party. There is no need to open the
doors to mercenary office hunters,
who are hangers-On Of the party for
the sake of patronage meal. Put the
best men that can be possibly secured
for the offices in all places Of trust in
the state. Relegate to the rear the
horde of old pie pleaders and there
will be another tune sung in some OF
the congressional districts next cleo
ton. The responsibility of the growth
of the party in this state rests upon
the heads of the departments at Wash
ingtOn, or upon the appointing power,
The head of the party in Texas will
be held to account for his recOmmen-
datiOns to office. The day of reckon
| ing is not to be delayed.