Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-24
REPRESENTATIVE TRUST AND
DIGNITY.

For man in any community to be
freely chosen by his fellow-citizcns as
their representative in public affairs
is certainly n high honor, though the
position in itself may not be very i'm
portant The greater the trust and dig
nifty Of the office, however, the greater
the obligation of the man chosen to fill
IL to be worthy of the confidence and ap-
probation shown him. Even IL he feel
himself unworthy. the more tliligcnt
and anxious he should be to make him
self worthy in intent and effort, IL he
fail in accomplishments.
But is that the feeling and convic-
tion of the average candidate for public
favor when he has succeeded in win
ming the place he has sought, or nc
cepted? Does he consider all that is
expressed and implied by his relations
as n representative OF the people, of
their will and interests. Alas, no! He
has got all he can from the people, for
the time being, and he has nothing to
expect from them until his term of Of
flee expire and he seek reelection, or
a higher trust He must now take adj
vantage Of them and his office for mis-
own benefit. That is his first feeling;
and 1t grows on him. lie regards the
plaudit, well done, thou good and
faithful servant" as n barren idcali-
ity, unbecoming n businessman and a
practical politician, whose prime inqui-
ry is in all things. How will it pay?"
Any other question is imbecile and RI
diculous to n rational being; and the
salary being obtained and secured the
thing to do is to find what more there
made OF it. TO simply do ones duty,
and honestly earn the money appor-
toned for It, is we'll enough, If one can
do no better: but IL one can do better
than serving the people by serving
some interest on the outside, why not?
Here are some Of our most respectable
citizens and businessmen, advised and
aided by able lawyers of high standing,
urging this, or that. on the officer
They know he Wns-nnt- elected cnr-lhis,
or that, and so does he; but they will
make it worth his while TO do it, and
this or that. really. is an exception to
the rule of strict duty, matter OF pub
lie benefit, and he must not stand in
the way of progress. Progress! De-
velopment. Expansion! Destiny. Why
attempt to obstruct the march of
things nnd the tendency of the times :?
y higher power orders, cnforces and
sanctilies 1t! The poor man cannot
Withstand so great an array of author
ity-and money-and he humbly com
plies with the pressure, after being as
snrcd that these agents of progress and
destiny will see to 1t that lie shall lose
nothing With the pcople,-nay, that
they will sacrifice him to popular wrath
IL he dare to fail them!
He will not steal Oh. no! He will
truly and fully account for every dol
lar that comes into his hands. What
more can be required of an honest
man? He tries to forget that he is n
representative Of the people, Il trustee
of the public rights ana interests;
and he argues himself into believing
that he is IL free man. under no special
obligations 10 guard what has been
committed to him, especially if lie is
not paid for it, and he falls into the
tolls of the band, or SGT, or ring. or
clique, or trust, or combine, or what
ever name the robbers of the public
and the people nre known by.
1t is curious 10 mark how easily self
interest can misicad the most intelli-
gent and honest men, If once they for
ret their duty 10 God ana others. and
lls'cn ia the tcmptcr. The Devil once
took the form Of serpent TO tempt our
first parents; but he now makes his
suggestions scrpcnts that fascinatc all
who dare to look upon them, ana glide
into our brains and hearts so silly that
we are beguilded into mlstakinG them
for our hest convictions and our purest
sentiments. Gold hypnotizes us