Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-29
TWELVE PAGES.
THURSDAY, MARCH 20. 1900.
OUR POLITICAL FRIEND.

WorceSterS unabridged dictionary
gives too strangely diverse definitions
of a politician. The first is: "One
versed in the science of government"
the second, "a man of artihce or deep
contrivance."
This reads quite like a condensed
statement of DR.. Jekyll and MIR. Hyde
two personalities in one man, or rather
two characters in one person. and.
alas, for human nature. when such is
dhe case, the evil, sooner or later dom
mates.
Certainitis that of late years the name
politician has not been regarded as n
complimentary epithet, and 1t would
seem that the accepted definition is "a
man of artifice," with "artiice" used
in its sinister sense. 1t did not used to
be so. 1t ought not to be so now.
When discussing the remedies for our
own good it is better not to mincc mat
ters. In severe cases of gangrene.
whether physical or political, the knife
must be applied. 1T may be the last
resource. but it Is the only one.
OF course there is no rule of unver-
sal application. There is always re-
serve of virtue somewhere that makes
its protest against universal vice by
choosing one CT Its type as its repre-
sentatives. But these types are so out
numbered In the average deliberative
assembly that they continually have TO
make compromises with evil, that bad
may not be even worse.
Undoubtedly there are a great many
good and high men In Virglnia-men of
the best patriotic impulses and aspira-
tions-who desire honest and capable
government. local. State and Federal.
They have become greatly disheartened
1T is true; they see the baser element
waiting for its brides. and taking no
other interest in an election than what
it can ''make out of it," If not an &C
tual majority it always constitutes the
balance of power, and the candidate
who will pay it down the most hard
cash, or bequite it with the most daz-
zling promises of future pelf, is sure
to get its vote.
Formerly this bargaining and selling
went on between the candidates of the
opposing parties, and only between
'tIci]l. Ioul tlllS, LOO, has Deeil
and changed for the worse.
The Primary Is the great day OF the
feast. the ultimate election becoming n
mere perfunctionary corrollary-and so
1T goes on.
In other sections different methods
prevail. The bidders for the nomina-
lions are not so eager indeed, for the
subsequent results are not quite so
assured. There are other Expenses"
to be provided for-so well known to all
people of average intelligence, ac-
quainted with our political methods.
that we forbear to write them down for
very shame.
1t may be said that prevailing politi-
cal conditions not only justify. but ac-
tually render necessary, the methods
limited at above. Whether that be true
or untrue. the conclusion is imperative
that the political conditions which even
suggest such methods are radically
wong, and must eventually become de-
structive of good government
The State. In it's largest sense. can
not command the respect of its ciu-
zens-there cannot be the virtue of pa
triotism. which is the noblest virtue of
&lcitizenship-unless there be radical
change,
Then the situation that confronts us
rs this: VIII the same sort of poltt-
clans control the convention that 1t is
hoped the convention will rid us of for
ever?
We have no cut-and dried schedule
of suffrage regulation to submit. The
multitude OF counsellors will. we hope.