The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1902-07-12
N~oN-PARTIsAN POLITICS.


State offices, the SENTINEL has been
purely non-partisan. Whatever it has
said on the subject vas, and whatever II
may say will be, in the interest OF good
government, and therefore in the interest
Of the people. The SENTINEL believes
that the people are entitled to good gov
c.nment, and that good government
means economical government. The best
government is that which takes the
smallest amount OF money from the peo-
pie, and gives the best possible service
for the amount taken.
But honest, economical government
can only be obtained by electing honest
and competent men to office. Partisan
politics interfere very seriously with the
selection of honest and capable men. 1t
is a well known fact that party conven-
tions are managed by professional or ma
chine politicians, and that nominations
are made in their interests, not in the in
terests of the people. Political bosses
control the conventions, and they will
allow no man to be nominated whom
they canno control, who will not permit
them to control the spoils of victory, OF
at least share with them political patron
age and the profits resulting therefrom.
The men who form the rank and file OF
all parties are honest to the core. They
are often dupes, but act On principle and
are always honest; professional politi-
cans, never. Professional politicians are
mere parasites, vipers that fasten them
selves upon the body polite, poison it,
springs of action, live Upon public plumber,
and glory in their country's shame.
Hence, the importance of attending
the primaries and selecting delegates to
the conventions, that are too honest to
be corrupted and too intelligent to be-
come the dupes of machine politicians.
In this way, and in this way only, can
the people hope to get rid of the baneful
influence OF political bosses and corrupt
politicians; to elect honest, intelligent
officers, an honest Legislature and Elk
e~cutive. and secure good government Of,
by and for the people.
The SENTINEL believes that no, import
ant national issues are involved in mu-
nicipal and very few in State elections.
Therefore, where no great principle is at
stake, it believes in selecting the very
best men in the State for officers, regard
less OF their political affiliations, past
or present. Outside Of ~tax-eating politi-
clans the people have a common interest
in good government, in low taxes, good
roads, good schools, municipal improve
ments, and in everything that makes for
law and order. good citizenship, and a
prosperous commonwealth.
1t is not enough that our State officers
and representatives be honest. They
must be intelligent if the best results are
to be obtained from legislation. Honest
men may be cajoled into voting against
their own and their constituents inter-
ests and in favor of certain classes, that
is, they may vote for class legislation.
Glass legislation is always unjust and
therefore odious, and its injustice to the
people is the same whether it be enacted
through ignorance or dishonesty. OF
course, the moral turpitude of the act
differs in the two classes OF men, and at
taches only to those who were knowingly
guilty OF wrong-doing, unless ignorance
be considered a crime. as it to ought be
in all matters pertaining to legislation.
No man, however honest, should accept
a public office who is not intelligent
enough to understand its duties and re-
sponsibilities, and competent to perform
them faithfully and well. The betrayal
of public interests is a crime that no dem
sity of ignorance can ever excuse or con-
done.
For these reasons, the SENTINEL favors
the nomination OF the best and brightest
men In all parties, to the end that legis-
lation may be wise and benefcient, and
the laws of the State honestly and i'm
partiallv enforced.