The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-29
TIE noss IN POLITICS.

1t is claimed by those who favor retain
ing possession Of the Philippines and gov
erning them as colonies that we are as
capable of governing colonies as England
is We have pride enough in our country
to believe that it can do about everything
better than any other country can, but il
is doubtful if we could govern colonies as
successfully as England does. The reason
she manages colonies better than we could
IS that she keeps politics out of the man
agement OF them, and we could not keep
politics out of the government of ours if
we should have them. The political boss
would make his appearance in the Philip
pines if We should decide to hold those is
lands in porpetuty, and boss rule would be
very expensive rule, as we know by expert
ence an the governments of our cities. Be
sides. the rule of the boss might not be
productive Of the benehcent results to the
natives to which Senator Frye called at
tention in the Senate on Friday. in a
speech devoted largely to the glorious
benefits which our rule would confer on
the Filipinos.
take care of himself and those who help
to keep him in his position The public
good is a secondary consideration, If, in
fact, it is given any consideration at all
The boss IN politics has many henchmen
who have to be taken care of, and the peo-
pie have to furnish the money necessary
for that purpose. There is hardly a city
in the country that is not mortgaged up
to the Limit. Assessments have just been
greatly increased in New York city in or
der for one thing, that the bonded debt
Of the city may be increased.
There is not city Of importance in the
country that could not be governed as well
as ii is now governed for two-thirds the
cost OF its present government if its af-
fairs were conducted on strictly business
principles. The political boss, however,
viii not permit it to be so governed, and he
would not permit colonies, If we had them,
to be governed on business principles. He
would have his hand in everythlng-in the
choosing of men TO fill the colonial offices,
in the appropriations to be made for the
NC4DiAHA sCNt AAiAitAN anu III the ltNylDB Oh
taxes upon the colonists. Merit would not
have chance anywhere; political influ-
ence would control everywhere That was
the case TO a very great extent in the war
with Spain. The hand of the political boss
was visible too frequently.
England governs her colonies on strict
ly business principles. Men are chosen for
the colonial Offices on account of merit.
For most of the political positions a spe-
cial training is required. The result is the
government of the colonies is carried on
economically and with ability and honesty.
The political boss is unknown. Conse-
quently the colonsts are not taxed to the
limit of endurance to meet the demands
created by the extravaganza of boss rule
Those who are opposing the extention of
our sovereignty over the Philippines may
be mistaken-may be working against the
true interests of the country. but we do
not believe they are. They see the perils
IN the path of the expansion that is pro
posed, not the least of which is bossism
and corruption in politics.