The Crittenden record. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1904-1907, 1906-05-18
Young Men and Politics.

your first vote few years ago. Have
you taken practical interest in poll
tics, attended primaries, addressed
meetings and cheerfully given your
time in such work as you believe to be
beneficial to public affairs? Is your
interest and ability recognized under
Encouragement of a Boss" Sup
pose you should be candidate for the
assembly at Frankfort and this prove
acceptable by you and was greeted
with favor wherever you were known
ard you would be such a man as after
little experience leave the whole as
sembly. But no nomination would be
certain without the consent Of the
Boss" 1t would not be required that
you should make downright pledges.
Bossism has been refined beyond that
point, but il would be necessary for
YOU to 60 down and see the Boss, "
talk with him ten or fifteen minutes,
talking over the prospects in the dis
trict, receive the assurance that your
candidacy would be an agreeable man
in the political game and go away with
tacit understanding that in the conven-
ton the Bosses" unseenhand would
bring about your nomination. But as
the candidate would go away from the
interview the Boss" would understand
only one thing that an alliance often.
sive and defensive had been made in
exchange for his influence at Frank
fort perhaps the young man would not
be called upon to do dirty work. He
would vote without suggestion for or
against He would seem to be free
unless there should be close ques-
ton in which his vote would be ahso
lutely required. Then he would IN
doubtedly be called upon TO deliver
the goods, and he would be expected
20 close his eyes 10 the corruption goo
|Ingon around him, indulge TO n5 reform
cutlery upon thelegis'at.0n which would
be really vital 90 great business plans.
There would be plenty of little reforms
IN which De could take part AMI vh.ch
the Boss would rather approve
which would attract the attention oi
the public and strengthen the reform
er" in his power TO do mischief 70 pub
lie interest by giving him public conf
dence. but suppose that arriving in the
legislature he did not pursue this line
Of policy? Suppose he proved an intri.
cable a dangerous man! What then,
His political career would bee given O.
short shift. He wol,I be quickly set
upon by the assembly his influence
In legislation would be nit Rumors
would be passed around suggesting au
hundred uufayorable characteristics
and at the end Of his term he would re-
tire 0i course. There would be- always
danger that he might be- man ~ such
strength and rccutulc that be would
become a menace 90 the combination
Of corrupuonists and by his actions 30
back 20 the people 30 strong as % en-.
able him 10 secure reelection in spite
Of the machine. This Is the risk the
boss must incur IN selecting his type Of
man. bu, he has dealt with So many
such he guagcd so accurately the pas.
siyiiy Of the ordinary man when
surrounded powerless and hopeless.
lie knew so well the insiduous germs
contained in the average political am.
bition that the call on the Boss
having been made that modern hydra
would dismiss all fear Of ambitious
youths ever becoming rccalcitranL
These would be the conditions as
they came into view after some
thought had been given the matter
submitted.
| What am TO do? The young man
would ask. should like 10 enter 20.
itical life. have an ambition 10
serve the state. Unless | can be re-
gardcd at least not unfayorably by
W X am certain 10 be turned
doWn In the nominating convention
regardless u my desire 10 serve the
people of my district, hut what would
you do " you entered the assembly
under such auspices! | would exert
every effort 10 secure good legislation
he would reply. but would you be free
20 Do - u you arrived in official lie
under the favor Of boss2 Would YOU
not feel that by your visit you had CIV.
On an implied promised Would you not
be under an obligation which would
weigh like a milestone about your neck
and after awhile perhaps sink you In
the morass Of corruption. But there
were young Roosevelt, Parker and
many Others In the first instance, I've
no doubt, entered politics under the
favor Of boss. But don't the career
Of these fine young men satisfy your
To quote the fayoritc expression. are
they not a type Of Abraham Lincoln or
were they bound hand and footl l.
there no entrance TO political life for
ambitious young mcnl Yes there Is
one which every young man should
take be should 70 into politics from a