Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-16

prCetituted their positions OF public trust
to the promotion Of their own individual
ends, both political and financial. They
had ceased to carry out the wishes of
their constituents, and instead had reach
ed a point where they believed they
could force the people to carry out their
| wishes.
II would appear from this. there fore.
that a political leader ceases to be a
political leader In the true meaning of
the term when no stops leading the peo-
pie In their interests and tries to drive
them in his own interests. Sometimes
the leader who has become boss is
able. through the mere strength Of his
position, to defy the people for consid-
cradle period, ms have Durham and Cox.
| In other instances the period of undis.
| puted bosship Is short. like that of Muir
ply and McCarrcn. In the end. however.
even the power OF organization fails IT,
sustain the political boss and he finds
himself shorn of his power and rejected
VI Tie people.
II almost inevitably follows, however
that when a political boss falls new
leader springs UP in his place, or per-
haps two new leaders flourish where only
grew before; and it requires time to
determine who is the true leader and
who the false political prophet. If We
turn to New York's municipal and county
contests again, ". may find instructive
examples Of different kinds Of leader
ship.
Unless the practically united press of
Attorney Jerome became the true leader
| of what was for the time being a new
local party. lie stood for honesty in pub
lie service and the punishment of the
CRATER and the corruptionist in every
sense of the term, HIS candidacy rep
resented an idea, which appealed to the
was refused a place on the ticket Of both
the leading political parties the campaign
which ne organized swept him on to sue
cess.
William r. Hearst also went into the
campaign as the representative Of an idea.
but how different is the manner Of his
reception. He experienced difficulty in
making either people believe that he was
not taking advantage of "A project which
appealed to many citizens in order to
ride into power. Ills sincerity was seri-
ously in question; and whether or not he
would carry out the plans of municipal
ownership he cspoused. may never be
atty is successful Should Hearst be
seated in the mayors chair, he would
then have an opportunity to show wheth-
er he is a true leader, or whether he
simply desired to become a political boss.
These are great days for the honest
man in politics. President Roosevelt
owes his immense strength with the peo-
pie without regard to party to the gen
eral belief that he is honest and will
consequences to himself or his party.
knowing that honesty will in the end
rebound to the interest OF his party.
Folk, the democratic governor OF Mis-
souri,. demonstrated his honesty and fear
lcssness as district attorney. Dneen, the
republican governor OF Illinois, showed
as prosecuting attorney in connection
with the famous Chicago scandals that
he was so honest he was not afraid to
do his duty in tho interest of the PEG
pie. and the people made him their lead
, or in State affairs. And 80 one nigh,
} proceed with Jerome in New York
; have stood for reform in other States.
While the very political atmospher,
: seems TO be charged with a popular in
: dignation destructive Of political bosses
? there was never time when the cal
to leadership in honest politics and clear
/ public service was more inspiring or NOR,
imperative than al the present time. The
, people are calling for champions of hon
, esty in places OF bosses. and tho peopl.
are supreme.
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