The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-02-11
Politics as It Should Be.

What do we understand by the word
AS this is a political year. perhaps q
few words on the subject would not b(
out of place even in the Glacier, which
| understand is non-partsan paper
Joseph E. Worcester, in his definition
of the word, quoting from Addison
says: "The science or the art of COY
ernment, or the administration of ma.
tional or public affairs; that part o.
ethics which consists in the knowledge
or practice of conducting the various
affairs of the state or nation; politica
science; political economy"
Pope defines it~as follows: "Politics
or public affairs, or the conduct and
contentious of political parties; Of
crooked counsels and dark politics."
With an intelligent idea of the mean.
ing of the word, and with the knowl
edge that we cannot escape the re-
sp0nsibility of 1t as state and nation,
it surely behooves every citizen of the
commonwealth to not only study the
question and, If required, do active
work in every campaign to the end
that good government may prevail.
In country so rich and abundant in
resources under proper political condi.
tions, there should be neither poverty
nor crime. 1t is indeed a sad COM
mentary on American civilization, with
the unprecedented accumulation OF
wealth that is constantly on the in.
crease, to be confronted with the feel.
ing of unrest that is so manifest in GER
tain sections of the busy marts of the
East.
From a republican standpoint, it is
my opinion that remedial legislation
by congress would largely correct what
ever abuses that now exist under re-
publican rule, and as republican am
willing to admit that the blame should
rest with the party in control of gov
ernmental affairs. To my mind, never
since the days of Lincoln have we had
a nations chief that was nearer the
heart of the common people than we
have today. And if his election was
left with the people, there would not
be a shadow of doubt about his being
the next president. While the electoral
college was no doubt q wise provision
on the part of the founders of our gov
ernment to make it possible that the
wishes of the entire country should be
subserved, even though we may some-
times elect presidents without the ma.
jority of the popular vote, yet with the
principle that the majority should rule.
Let us go back to the subject, What
is our duty? Many ministers of the
gospel as well as members of the
churches hold up their hands in holy
horror concerning the dark methods of
politicians, and content themselves by
saying that politics are too filthy to
dabble with. And right here is the
root of political corruption. If the up
right element in every community
would take off their coats and 90 to
work during the campaign with the
rank and file of voters, the political
boss would soon fluid himself without
an occupation, We have all heard the
axiom, Gle serves his party best who
serves his country best;' but to the
boss politician this saying is reversed.
He considers ii personal necessity to
get a place at the government pie
counter, regardless Of consequences.
The political plum is so tempting that
they must have IL even at the sacrifice
of honor. Their motto IL, Get Il posi-
ton, honestly it may be; If not get it
anyway.
When the case is diagnosed we seek
for relief, and how can il I've accom-
plished? The remedy is simple enough
the primaries, every Que of
you, preachers and all See that cum-
petent and hunest delegates 20 To the
This done, you need
have no fear about the personnel of the
ticket. Then keep the good work go-
ing, and on election day put in a faith
full days work for your country in see
ing that the right men are voted for.
The trust question versus the labor
union appears to be the all-absOrbing
question of the day. IL is a question
Of vital importance, the settlement of
which means much to us as a nation.
Great men differ upon il, and the COM
forts of a home to thousands, yea mill
lions of people depend upon it. Surely
the intelligence and honesty of Amer
lean citizenship should be able to grap-
pie with aud conquer the difficulties
this question.
Admit, for Arguments sake, that Mr.
Bryan was wrong on all other ques-
tons, yet the fact remains in my mind
that be was right on the question Of
trusts. His theory was that congress
could enact aud enforce a law making
it obligatory on the part Of corpora.
tions or trusts that when they ineor-
pOrated for a million dollars to make
them put up the full amount Of the
capital stock instead Of assessing the