The St. Louis Republic., 1903-10-19
nnIITIcAI MACHINES

Well deserving uf profound meditation by all citi-
zens. rich as well Is poor is the relation Of the or
ganizaton which is commonly known aS the ms
chine unto the party in whose name il acts. More
deserving Of conscientious consideration is the rca-
tion that the machine bears toward public affairs.
What the machine aspireS conSpireS To do is what
the machine IS and by lis theories and its deeds.
hut particularly 10y its deeds may its character and
influence lie positively known.
The reform movements which have elevated the
political standards in the principal cities Of the
United States during the past few years have
achieved success through organization. They were
inaugurated 10 disrupt machines that had become
potential and whose potentiality typfed complete
degradation. Intrenched in power 10y stability OF
almost perfect organization, extending into even
less units than precincts they had become impreE-
nable against individual forces. Only by mighty
opposition. formed by counter-OrGanizationS could
they be made vulnerable
Machines may. therefore, render good evil.
They may effect good government or they may effect
misgOvernmcnt. They may bring reliable. able Of
icialS into authority. they may elect common
rogues and despicable criminals. They may
strengthen the municipal government and have pub
lie business conducted in equity and with discretion,
they may wreck the citys finances by corruption
and loot So. there are two kinds Of machines-the
right kind and the wrong kind.
Probably. as generally is hoped. the political ma
chine of the future will he instrument for the
propagation of principles and for the support of rep
rcsentative tickets chiefly. il not almost solely.
rather than 4 means whereby parties may he cor
rupted and miSruc established The Improvements
in municipal systems, fixing popular government on
more conservative basis ought to eliminate much
Of the pcrnciousnes Of machine activity. But there
to he no prospect that the machine will cease
To be an entity and factor in public affairs.
As long as opinions differ, platforms will differ:
long platforms differ there will be parties and
long parties exist there viii he need for or
CARNATIONS. The machine whether of a regular
party Of civic welfare association, is an integral
feature Of government. Monarchies and republics
have machines, and always have had, although the
machines are recognized under various titles. Bust
ness establishments societies and all associations
have what may properly be called machines.
All of the large cities and many Of the smaller
cities have fought in recent years for radical re-
form in organic laws and in administration. These
fights have demonstrated that the people are all
powerful when united for their-own benefit and, on
the other hand. that they are impoient when Un-
organized and submissive.
The corruption and lax methods Of base machines
taught the necessity from party rs well as popular
viewpoints. for beneficial machines and courageous
leaders harmonizng the right sentiments Of the
people have shown how good government can he
obtained. Since machines will exist it is desirable
that they should be the right kind. working for the
public good and not for private gain. BY taking
active interest in public business. understanding:
public questions and voting at all elections the c
viii he able 10 purify the political machines
but this can be done only by constant vigilance
within the parties and out Of the parties. COrrup-
tion is the penalty for neglect of civic duty.