Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-29
The Boss in Politics

Mr.. n. *. Fuller had chosen for his
topic 4 theme that has attracted much
attention in political circles. Mr.. Fuller
has evidently been making study OF
politics and he gave Us the benefit of his
deductions in the following words:
When Mr.. Platt was asked If he would
accept the nomination for Governor OF
New York. he said. Il do not want 10 b.
a Governor but to be a plain simple boss. =
Our last political campaign was enriched
by many historical phrases but this will
doubtless be quoted rs much as any. not
excepting even Mir. Brydns cross of
gold and crown of tlorns.
VIM NJ. Tweed always designated him.
ielf us statesman. While Mathew
eail themselves leaders. Mr.. Plat lis
hen the first of these men who has had
the courage TO come out sauarely and
fairly. acknowledge himself a boss and
declare that he likes the business.
The political boss Is a characteristic,
product of our form of government. He
docs not spring suddenly into existence.
but is the result of a gradual growth and
Il natural process OF selection. Starting
perhaps as a ward leader he gradually
enlarges the circle of his power until he
has absolute control OF the whole city.
But he is ambitious. He wishes TO ac--
quire still more power; to extend his
sphere of action. And we soon find that
the state organization of his party has
passed into his hands. He is now "A pc-
litical dictator and Is in position to use
his party for the furtherance of his own
selfish ends. He names the men who
shall be Governor. He names the men who
shall represent the State in the National
Congress. In fact, he and his leutenants
select practically all the state officers
ana direct all the important state lesis-
lation. Under cur present system of pol
itics, corporations or individuals who de-
sire favorable legislation do not apply to
the legislator 1t Is far easier for them
to place their money in the hands of the
political boss and Let him tell the legis-
In toy. hnxu n Irnfe
When boss has once acquired power
it Is no easy matter to dethrone him. For
the Indifference of one class of the COM
munity and the blind partisanship of the
other create him and give him his intu-
ence. He enjoys all The rewards and ad .
vantages of public office. without as
suming its trials and responsibilities.
The question of bossism is by no means
one of party. Both parties are at
fault and ii would be difficult to say
which Is the more cupabe In New
York the Democrats have produced their
Hill, and in Maryland their German,
While the Republicans have their Quay
in Pennsylvania and their Plat in the
Empire state. These are only a few of
cited, but they are sufficient to siibstan-
tiate the statement that this is not a
party but general evil. The peculiar
changes that have taken place. recently
firm this sta; elnent. but they also go TO
show how strongly entrenched is he boss
in that state and how apparently help
less the people are. The people decided
overwhelmingly voted 10 relegate David
r. Hin to the shades of political Oblivion.
But it was only a change from one boz
10 another. The people of Nnw York,
today. bow o The dictates of a man who
is rs dishonest and unscrupuious-th ex-
act counterpart in fact of his predecessor.
But those states that adhere to the boss
school OF politics have to pay the pen
aitx a q
two of the greatest states as regards both
wealth and population. Yet neither In
the national Senate or before the country
do they command the attention accorded
TO such states as Maine or Massachu-
setts In these latter states character
and ability count and although there are
party leaders, the people are far from
being welded to the iniauitous boss sys-
lem.
To the student OF our political history