Amador ledger., 1904-04-15
ON THE THINKING LINE.

4uS peOple vi AuduOr county are
evidently doing some tall thinking
on their own account. Here as else
where, it takes time to impress upon
the mass of citizens the need of re-
forms in local affairs. 1t is not that
the people generally are slow of
intellect, or deficient in moral
stamina. On the contrary, the
average voter is quick -witted and
straightforward in his dealings, and
expects those who are entrust-
ed by his suffrage with place and
power to manifest that same de-
votion to duty that causes the
private citizen to move in the path
way of right. Experience has
taught that the chronic office hold
ing or Office seeking class belong to
a guild of their own. We do not
wish to be interpretated as placing
all public officials in the self-seeking
category. By no means. There are
public servants Amador coun-
ty Is not without eXamples-who are
as high-minded, straightforward and
conscientious in the discharge of
their sworn duty, and as anxious to
protect the interests of the people
as the sternest moralist could de-
mand. Men of this stamp travel
their own individual pathways.
They keep aloof from cliques and
combines. They will not turn aside
at the bidding of popular clamor.
While they are the real salt" of our
official system, and exert a potent
spell for good, still it must be con-
tessed they are not the controlling
factors in our governmental system.
There is another class, of a lower
grade from moral standpoint.
They are more unscruplous in their
methods. They do not hesitate to
make alliances within and without
their own party lines. They seek to
throw up entertainments to per-
petuate themselves in Office, and
their conduct in Office is often
warped by this self-seeking spirit.
Every plan to accumulate patronage
is advocated, no matter if the
scheme is palpably detrimental to
public interests. They do not hest
tate to shut off revenue from the
public treasury, if by so doing they
secure increased patronage to be
given to their satellites for past and
future political services. 1t is this
sort of spirit that controls conven-
tions, dictates pominations, and
shapes legislation. The ultimate OBJ
Ject from local standpoint is not to
benefit the oppressed taxpayer, but
to consolidate the power in the
hands of the politicians. This power
is termed smartness, but smartness
In this sense is an entirely different
thing from mental ability. Men of
this caliber succeed in this direction
because they stoop to methods which
those of keener susceptibility would
scorn to adopt. And the tactics
will succeed until the people get
thoroughly aroused to the danger.
A healthy sign of the times in
Amador county is that the tax
payers are talking over the situation
among themselves and through the
papers. We are constantly receiv-
ing communications on this vital
matter. From one received this
week from citizen of high standing
in the north end of the county, we
Gull the following:
Editor Ledger-Your remarks last
week on the election of assemblyman
are right to the point. Our represent
atives so far have done nothing, except
to add burdens upon the taxpayers.
The Preston school has been one of
their main drain pipes. It has been
the boast of one representative that he
got all he asked for. The man behind
the plow works hard for 10 hours, and
is one dollar richer at the close of the
day. An office holder gets ten times
this amount for doing next to nothing.
How many bills are presented to the
supervisors, from the superior Judge
down? We in our ignorance thought
when man was elected at a certain
fixed salary, he had to abide by it.
But If any controversy arises the de-
cision is almost invariably in favor of
the Office holder. If carpet is wanted
one is got, and 1926 more or less is
paid for it, and the expense is never
called in question. AS rule, those
who add little or nothing to the assess
able property in Amador county, reap
the benefit of high salaries.
No, no, let us not spoil any more
good tradesmen by making them legis-
lators. wish to thank you for the
keen interest you take in protecting
the taxpayers. If it were not for your
vigilance our affairs would be still
worse. In fact, they think they are
entitled to the cake. All salaries are
one-half too high, according to the
wages paid the workingmen around
here, and the laborers are the real
producers.
See Geo. A. Gordon as the Irishman