New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-07-30
4 NEw sPLRLr IN POLITICS.

Ii used 10 be said. describing the relations of
public men of opposite parties, that there waT
mo politics in politics" What this phrase hint
cd nj a certain community of interest
which bound all politicians together a~class
Under the spOils system the politicians had
come 10 consider themselves sort of ruling
caste delegated by the voters TO govern and
TO enjoy the emoluments of government. A
spirit of comfy and freemasonry existed which
took note of merely professional antago-
nisms. LEADERS of opposite parties might fay
another the stump and in the Senate,
like lawyers quarreing over a case in court.
But when government by the politicians and
for the politicians was assailed personal differ
ences were forgotten and the injury of one be
came the concern of all. George F. HOar in
his Autobiography of Seventy Years" quotes
with approval this judgment passed by Oliver
Wolcott New-York politics in the earlier
days:
After living a dozen years in that State don't
pretend to comprehend their politics. 1t is
labyrinth OF wheels within wheels, and IT is
leaders of the opposite parties, whom the
papers and before the wOrld-seem ready to
tear each others eyes out will meet some rainy
night in dark entry and agree, whichever way
the election goes. they will share the spOils to-
gether.
The freemasonry which Governor Woicott
condemned lasted as long as the spoils system
lasted. 1t might be hazardous TO say that we
have now extrpated ii. There still politi-
clans who think they have a right TO make
what profit they can out of their official OppOr
tunities. There are many other politicians who
are 10th 10 crticse or interfere with colleague
misusing a trust TO advance his personal fort
unes Let us not expose our own rascals, lest
weaken the party" has been precept too
frequently needed by responsible political lead
ers. And another has been: Let us not help
the enemy TO expose our rascals, lest he
strengthen himself with the voters" But this
spoilS system logic has been gradually weak
ening and to-day we find evidences on every
side of saner and sterner spirit in dealing
with political delinquents and political graft
ers."
The present administration has set a notable
example in the severity with which 1t has han
died corruptionists in the government service.
In the Postoffice and Interior departments, and
now in the Department of Agriculture wrong
doing has been exposed and punished Many
important bureau officials have been removed
and some of them have been tried and convict
ed In the legislative department three United
States Senators and two Representatives all
members Of the party in pOwer-have been
indicted No favor or leniency has been shown
and weak fear has been entertained that ex-
posures of wrongdoing would hurt the party"
When a Republican Mayor undertook to bring
10 justice the Republican politicians who had
misgoyerned and plundered Philadelphia he
found Republican administration stanchly
tanning him. Only the day before he took the
oath of office as Secretary of State Elihu Root
wrote thus TO Mayor Weaver:
Crimes committed by men who have political
power often sheltered behind official indf
ference and inactivity, and then some one has
TO do more than his duty to secure justice, and
you will not be the first public officer who has
done a great public service against the resist
ance of those from whom the service ought to
come. / have q strong desire that the
city OF Philadelphia, whose history and good
name so dear 10 every American shall be
relieved from the stain which corrupt and
criminal organization, masqueradng under the
name Of Republicans have put upon it,
There is evidence of the same spirit, too I'm
the moral support given by President ROose-
welt TO Governor Folk and i'll the frankness
with which Mr.. JerOme--as a DemOcrat-has
just punctured the plea put forward in behalf
Of Mayor Mcclellan that he has done tthe best
he could" II is this spirit which is gradually
breaking down the unwholesome traditions of
the spoils system and lifting politics TO less
mercenary and less tainted plane.