Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1898-11-01

The tlrSt question 10 De dSkeu ny
the electors of a county, when mans
name is mentioned for office should
be, "What are his qualifications,
When a man wants advice on legal
proposition he don't consult horse
doctor: and when he is sick he don't
call In grain buyer, but rather APP
plies for information and advice to
some one who has experience and
learning in the lines in which he is
interested. So in applying the prin-
ciples of common sense to the matters
OF government, it would seem that
the wisest thing to do Is to elect to
the Office men which they are par
ticularly adapted. A man may be
good, he may be honest, upright, and
all that goes to make him good citi-
zen, but when compared with a COM
petitor who combines with these quail
tiles the knowledge gained by actual
experience, he is at a disadvantage
when the matter is carefully consider
ed from the standpoint Of the common
veal. No one doubts the integrity,
the honesty, and uprightness OF Mr.
Wohlheter, the candidate for the
Senate, nominated by the Pops, but
when compared with George A. Mat
hews in the question of experience and
ability as adapted for the office OF Sen
atOr, Mr.. Wohlheter Is bound to suf-
fer In the comparison. Not by reason
of any personal lack Of good qualities
but by the reason Of the more than
average qualities of his competitor.
Both are men Of integrity, and upright
in every way, but the superior qualiti-
cations of George A. Mathews make
him by far the strongest candidate on
the merits of the case. This Is not a
question OF personal preference, but
question of the welfare and good Of
the cOunty.-Brooking Press.
The above is the cleanest, fairest
article we have ever seen published in
the Brookings Press. 1t is an article
that will at once attract the attention
Of thinking man. 1t is an article
that affords food for thought and will
lead many voter to consider its
claims. 1t is for these reasons that the
REGISTER feels called upon to give it
consideration and careful attention.
Up to the appearance of the article in
question, the REGISTER has deemed
1t unnecessary to say a word as
against Mr.. Mathews. But, taking
the position that it does in this cam
paign, the REGISTER would not be
doing its full duty to the people of the
county and state to let so fair an ar
ticle upon its face) pass by unchal-
lenged, when it might influence votes
In this very important campaign. AS
the Press truly says, a mans qualifi-
cations for Office should be seriously
considered by the electors in order to
intelligently determine who can do
them the most good and that they
may not live to regret hasty step in
that direction. The REGISTER has
not a word to say against Mr..
Mathews as citizen. That lie is an
able attorney is unquestioned. That
he is an eloquent talker goes unchal-
lenged. That he has had experience
in public matters is a matter Of his
tory in this county and that he has
had experieqce in matters political is
also true. But with all these qualifi-
cations, the REGISTER feels called
upon to oppose Mr.. Mathews in this
campaign. Why? Because, in the
first place he is machine candidate.
What we have said Of Mr.. Mathews is
equally true of Mr.. Kittredge, Aleck
Johnson, Harry Hunter, ct al. No
one questions their ability or their
acquaintance with public and politi-
cal matters. No one questions their
eloquence and persuasive powers, and
as private citizens, they would nc
doubt stand as high as Mr.. Mathews
But as public men they are opposed to
the interest of the common people
and no one accuses them of not being
true to the interests they represent
Arrayed on the side of the people
these men would be power; just a.
they are for the corporations the,
represent. But their interests ant
those Of the people are diametricall!
opposed to each other, for one want
one kind Of legislation and the othe
another. The REGISTER charge
Mr. Mathews as being allied to tn
machine In all sincerity, for 1t be
lieSes II IL true. Whys Because tn
RHatsrER knows that Mr.. Mathew
WAS opposed 70 the denomination =