Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-07-24
GOOD POLITICS AND GOOD POLICY.

Dover Index.
II can be said without fear OF contra
diction, that there may be found in every
Legislative district In the State representa-
tive men who ara ready and.wilIing to serve
a candidates flor the Legislature; but owing
to their personal affairs, tho time involved
and the usual necessary efforts to be put
forth in securing nomination, this most
desirable class of citizens is generally de-
TERED from making any active canvass for
the office.
As an offset to the best element of citizen
ship may be found another clnes always ready
and willing to serve their party, regardless of
time, preliminary campaign work, and too
often the best interests OF the party. With
this class OF citizens, party success Ia sub
ordinated to personal interests and private
ambitions. Such persons are extremely
dangerous to the welfare of the party when
1t Il obliged 10 face a contest not only of
local but national importance.
II is time we'll spent In drawing line of
comparison between these two classes of
citizens Unquestionaby, party is entitled
to be represented by the highest and best
elements OF citizenship within its ranks.
Such representation the people have right
to demand; and the party faiIing to grant
such representation not only neglects duty
1t owes 10 itself, but commits an act Of be-
trayal to its followers whose confidence and
trust IL has secured. Such indiscretions,
when they do take place, often lead to re-
verses which IL takes much time and eareful
forsthought to overcome.
The men urging themselves forward as
| Legislative candidates, at tho present time,
need close supervision by the people upon
| whom these ayowed candidates are calling
| for support. The legitimate emoluments Of
the Delaware Legislator are not particularly
| attractive. In fact, it is the experience Of
all former members of the General Assembly
| that there Is nothing in the Office. II no
| money is to be made from the Office, then II
| becomes necessary 10 inquire for other
reasons that prompt the search for legisla-
/ tive duties.
/ A little looking around will determine
that these active aspirants for seats In the
| Legislature are persons whose abundance OF
the worlds goods is decidedly limited in
bulk. These gentlemen consist mainly Of
| persons who are Obliged to depend upon
their daily toll for a subsistence, a circ1m-
stance which, by no means, detracts from
fitness and eligibility. But the question
naturally arises here, how can these people
| afford TO make such large personal sacrifices
for their party. when 1t is known that the
| least friction existing in party ranks Is an
| assurance of the greatest possible success,
| If such mistaken motive be that of party
zeal and political enthusiasm, then it were
better that the party be delivered from such
zeal and enthusiasm. But few will concede
that such candidates are actuated by anJ
such attributes. This over-anxiety on thu
part of some persons to serve as members oil
the next Legislature carriers with 1t Inors
than has heretofore been mentioned. It i'm
plies an allegiance 10 other political aspira
tions which should stand or fall according
to their merits.
There are numerous men who are willinl
TO serve their State in the halls Of Congress
and these same men have their friends win
are anxious and willing to serve them. Sucl
a condition of affairs is natural and canno
be expected to be otherwise; but the belle
is not limited that unpledged delegates viii
make selections best suited to the welfau
of the party and its consequent success. II
such an event, only the best men will be ne
lected TO carry into effect the mandates o
the party and wnen this shall have beei
done mistakes and failures viii not be sub
jects for after consideration.
We believe, therefore, that II is both IN
wise and impracticable for any persons
whatsoever, to be engaged in soliciting sup
port for legislative nominations. Sue
activity can be nothing but detrimental B
the interests of the party, which is para
mount to any private or personal considera
tions. The only safe course is for the peopi
TO make the selections voluntarily withou
suggestions or the urgent requests of thos
parties who have no hesitancy in endeayoI
ing to convince the people of their district
: of their eminent qualifications for the max
ing of laws, and their unqualified judgfnen
: for the selection of percentages TO sit q
members of the hrst legislative tribunal {
: | the world.