The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-12-17

TWenty-six will respectively reeve next
 year an annual stipend of 2,00G or up-
 ward, five get less than that sum apiece
 and provision is to be made after the 1st Of January for eight more; the amount to be paid to each has not yet
 been definitely fixed. With regard to the remaining three, it is not to be SUD- posed that they will be permitted to go without their reward, it being the bed rock principle of the organization that no leader shall fail to receive the value of his political services, generously estimated, and to be paid by the tax payers.
 It would be interesting to know how many, if any, of these highly favored citizens, if they should be cast out by the organization, could legitimately earn the respective amounts paid them oy 1t. It would be no less interesting and informing to learn how many, if any, of our great corporations, such as banks, trust companies, and saving in- stitutions, would compete one with an- other for the privilege of employing many of our ward leaders.
 It is not in evidence that large num- bers of them are of such conspicuous and notable ability that because of it thelr services would be eagerly sought by sagacious men of business. In fact, it has been observed that when a practi- cal politician drops out or is thrown out of the office the organizat tion has given him the estimated value of his services as a man of affairs decreases, not in- creases. The desire of shrewd business men to put them in positions of trust and responsibility is seldom over Whelming, and it is said that the sad dest thing which can befall a practical politician is to be obliged by the will and decree of the boss to work his livr ing outside of the rich and pleasant browsing grounds of official existence.
 The president of bank or trust com pany would not be likely to give re- sponsible post to an applicant whose sole recommendation was that he could, by hook or crook. "carry' his ward or division for the organization. Of course 1t requires some skill to make the re- turns of an election show more votes cast for the or-doubt. The men ill office do not appoint or elect themselves; either they are appointed by their superiors whom the voters ganizations' candidates than there are voters in the ward or division; but discreet men of affairs, who select their responsible em- ployees with care, would probably not regard such skill as a desirable accomplishment for cashier, salesman, or clerk. "..
 A pertinent question seems to be. Why should the mass of intelligent, sagacious, careful citizens choose for public officers men to manage their municipal affairs whom they would not choose 10 manage their private busi- ness? That they do this very inconsist- ent thing can be no elect, or the voters elect them. Such of the ward leaders and all others of their sort as browse in the eity's pastures are the beneficiar- ies of their fellow-citizens. If the latter do not like them or are opposed to being taxed to support or enrich the practical politicians, why do they not protest at the polls against the practice of ele- vating them to office, and by protesting end the public wrong? Of some things it is said they come high, but we must have them" that is only half true of the war bosses. They do come high, but they are not needed.-Philadel high, but they are.not needed. .--Philadel- phia Ledger. f