The Republican journal., 1899-12-28
A Needed Reform.

To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL
There is one great evil connected with
politics at the present time that sadly
needs to be overcome by the people-an
evil that applies to no one party in par
ticular, but to all parties in greater or
less degree. | refer to the manner of Sc
sooner is one election over than a host Of
candidates begin to announce themselves
for the next campaign
SO far has this matter gone that it las
almost become habit to select the vari-
Gus candidates from among those who
have been publicly seeking the position.
Theoretically, good government can
only be expected, or secured, when the
Office seeks the man best fitted to fill it,
Practically, it is not always possible to Sc
cure the best man, even when his services
are desired. But it is seldom necessary to
elect an incompetent Or dishonest man be
cause no other can be found. As rule,
luO llou VIM SpCuuS HlS liiho uotlluS lOI
an Office is not the best man for the place.
Such man seldom, if ever, has a sut1i-
GENTLY keen moral sense to understand
the sentiment that a public office is
public trust. The man who does not hold
to this great truth is unfit for public posi-
ton, because he is very apt to betray the
trust reposed in him by the public
1t does not require a long look behind
the scenes on the political stage IT, reveal
the fact that some one must do the dirty
work of the bosses, that the show may
appear clean to the general pu bic
What more natural than for MANAGERS to
seek out the man who is "oiiee crazy"
and employ him for their purpose, With
the understanding that he can have some
petty office as his reward. Ii il matter
foI regret that the general public have 90
little to say about who Shall represent
them on the party tickets. That the pow
er is in their own hands will be admitted
by nearly all. That they do Hot arouse
themselves and use this POWER is their
own fault, is equally truc. The Very lct
that the people arc 50 Indifferent is What
makes it possible for politicians To Try
out their schemes which are often against
tile peoples interests.
The man who secures his election us a
result Of party work on lis part viii uot
be apt to do anything that his party man
ayers disapprove.
There is much said and written about
needed tax reform, and the office seekers
are nearly all posing as friends t5 the
farmer and reform in our tax laws.
There are some inequalities in our tax
system, but it is by no means proved that
the men who preach reform are competent
to devise a better system. Any fool car
tear down a good house. but it needs al
expert mechanic to build one 1t may be
easy to find fault with the present condi-
need able men to devise and put into
operation better one.
The men who are fitted for these things
will generally accept office wher it come.
to them, but they are not out Cunning fol
political game.
Then the first reform needed is to elec
able and honest men who are competen
to deal with public questions. Men o.
calm, logical Judgment, rather than shall
| low takers. Needed reform can only
come through the election o. more able
men than we are ever likely to get from
the ranks of those who have 'tannoulcee
Themselves as candidates. Men who vii
work rather than talk are the kind We
need in State and Nation.
ENocf c. Dow.
The early bird gets the worm- usually
Ed journal.