Amador ledger., 1902-06-20
LOCAL POLITICS.


stir, and aspirants for office are
also bestirring themselves. At this
early date, it is not out of place to
sound a note of warning concerning
tactics which may be adopted. to
further the interests of those in
Office. 1t is we'll known that several
of the present Office holders are
anxious to succeed themselves. They
sre candidates for reelection, not by
formal declaration to that effect
anoc cement in the papers, but
rat; ar by the IDEA that no other can
dicat>2 are likely to oppose them in
their own party. The fact that no
public announcements have been
made on the republican side for
Offices now filled by the opposition
party, should not be allowed to be
taken advantage of to the detriment
of the republican party. The nomi-
mating conventions are yet long
way off, and republicans of Amador
county are not willing to concede
that any Office is likely to 90 beg
ging in the ranks of the political or
ganization which has demonstrated
its ability to elect by virtue of hav-
ing a strong majority of voters.
Republicans can only lose in the ap-
preaching contest by putting up
candidates who will ALLEVIATE more
voters from their own ranks than
they will attract from the ranks of
democracy. Conditions have changed
in this respect in the last few years.
Owing to the splendid record of the
republican national administration,
the local party has been strengthen
ed and solidified to such an extent
that it is now only necessary for a
republican candidate to command
his party vote in order to be elected.
A few years back the reverse of this
was the case. 1t was then only
needful for a democrat to poll the
strength of his party to secure cleo
ton. Practically there is no man
in either party who can command
the support of every voter with
in his own political organization.
On the other hand, every candidate
for Office is supposed to have friends
IF the opposite faith who will assist
him by their votes and influence.
Heretofore the republicans have had
the uphill fight from a strict party
standpoint. Without making net
gain from the opposing side it was
, impossible to win. The democratic
candidate had simply to make a
stand-off in the exchange of votes to
be swept into Office. It is true that
a large element of voters, who are
partisans in national issues, pay
very little attention to party fealty
when it comes to local matters
They vote for the men who are theil
personal friends, or who in theil
opinion are the better fitted for the
positions to be filled. In other
words, the best interests of the tax.
payers and the community at large
's til controlling motive. Practi
cs.lly it is dentically the same motive
rha. lduces republican or demo.
crat 10 vote for the nominee of his
party for president. In that case
however, he is governed by his party
principles, taking it for granted thai
his party convention has presented
him with candidate who is person
ally qualified for the Office. In local
affairs also, the patriotic citizen
votes from principle-that is the
welfare, the good government of the
county is the object in view. His
personal knowledge of the qualifica
tions of the candidates for public Of
fee is the controlling factor in de
terming whether he shall cast his
ballot for the republican or the dem
ocratic nominee. A personal preju
dice against one in office-especially
a prejudice created or intensified by
official conducts often the mos
potent influence in driving party
votes from a candidate. Now wherl
two opposing candidates are con
ceded to be equally qualified for tn,
position sought after, it is natura
that party fealty will come int,
play-the republicans will, as rule
stand by their nominee, and tn
democrats will do likewise. Unde
such circumstances, in face of exist
ing political conditions in Amado
county, the republican candidate
would be carried to victory on tn
strength OF his popularparty MAORI
ty.
Democratic aspirants are not Uni
mindful of this transfer of populal
allegiance in favor of the republi
cans. 1t is incumbent upon them t.
Offset if they can this disadvantage