Amador ledger., 1906-02-02
County Politics.

Amador county will soon be plung-
ed in the whirlpool of another con-
test for the possession of the county
offices. The main issue will be--as
it always has been-the outs against
the ins. 1t Is unfortunate for public
interests that such is in reality the
chief feature of local election. The
mere personality of the men, who
shall serve Amador county for the
next term is really small matter in
comparison with other issues, which
ought to be pressed to the front, and
submitted to the popular vote in a
manner that will not permit of any
side tracking tactics. At this early
period, it is not out of place to
discuss some things that loudly
clamor for redress. We believe the
republican party-the party that has
strong majority, In this county-a
majority that ought to insure the
election of every man on its local
ticket, provided that ticket is COM
posed of material that is reasonably
acceptable to republicans generally
should take hold of these live issues,
and make determined effort to settle
them in accordance with the wishes
of the people. Citizens of Amador
are thinking class. In county
affairs they do not hesitate to scratch
a man on their party ticket providing
they deem a candidate on the opposite
ticket more deserving of their sup
port. This spirit of independence is
commendable. 1t is laden with the
promise of reform. The Ledger
strongly republican though it be-
has nought to say in its discourage
ment; Notwithstanding the fact which
stands out in bold relief in the
political history of recent years, that
republicans are more disposed to
assert their independence in this
regard than their opponents. In
support of this statement, 1t is only
necessarily to point out that with
republican sentiment in the ascend
ancy of between 200 and 800 votes,
the democrats to-day fill nearly all
the local offices. These democrats
owe their election to republican
votes. The thing to be depIored in
this regard is that considerations for
the public veal is not always made
the touchstone at the ballot box. But
we must deal with conditions as they
exist, not as we would wish them to
be. No doubt the majority of the
members of both the great political
parties desire that fitness and cap
ability should alone be considered in
the selection of public servants.
Equally important with the per-
sonal popularity of the makeup OF
the ticket, is the adoption of plat
form on local questions-a platform
of economy and retrenchment that
candidates for legislative positions
especially shall be pledged to support,
and use their utmost endeavors to
put into practical effect. The people
are getting heartily sick of this appar-
emily endless policy of piling up ex-
pense upon the taxpayers by IegisIa-
tive enactments. 1t has gone on for
years, with only now and then a stern
potest entered against the system.
Representatives go to their duties
apparently under the impression that
the chief business is to look after the
oftice-holding class, and see to it
that the emoluments shall be boosted.
Scarcely a legislature has met, but
this spirit has found vent in one di-
Tectlon or another to the detriment of
the public service, and for the
benefit of the few. Furthermore, by
studied system of unwise legisla-
tIon, sources of county revenue that
years ago furnished an important
item of income, have been cut down,
or cut off altogether, and diverted to
the pockets OF political hangers on.
The citizens and property holders
generally have had to make good this
loss. The result has been a steadily
growing tax rate. Is it not time that
new departure was inargurated.
The policy of graft-for that is the
most correct term to apply to snch
methods-should be stopped. We
trust the republican party will take
firm stand on this matter. 1t is by
far the most burning Issue that faces
Amador county; and the man that
forces the fight to the finish will be
the most practical reformer and
benetactor this section has met for a
generation.