The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1906-02-09

boys returning from school in New York
who were discussing what they would
be when they grew up; One little
fellow says, l am going to be police
man; a boy from Hoboken retorted, you
can't, you amt fat; said another little
fellow, you can't, you amt Irish. And so
boys OF larger growth have been led to
think that qualification for office is in
matters wholly irrelevant to the ques-
ton; party relation, party service, per-
sonal obligation, etc.
The constitution of the United States
vests the right of appointing federal
officers in the President. Important
positions requiring the consent of the
senate. Washington as we'll as other
Presidents and our present chief execu-
tive considered the term during good
behavior. Washinton said to a friend
who importuned him to appoint some
one to an office whom the president con-
sidered untitled and incompetent said
my personal feeling have nothing to
do with the case, am not George
Washington am president" jefferson
declared the only questions concerning
a candidate for office should be, is he an
honest and honorable man, is he capa-
BILE, is he faithful to the constitution.
SO of his successors until president Jack
son, who announced that public office
was political spoil.
William Marcy Of New York has the
unenviable fame of having made the
declaration first that "To the victors be-
long the spoils..'
Henry Clay said "It is the most de-
testable system, drawn from the worst
period of the Roman Republic"
Carl Shurz said "It has killed two
presidents, Harrison by worry, Garfield
by murder; also Governors and
Mayors"
To elect. men to state, county or mu-
nicipal Office or appoint them merely be-
cause of party affiliation and service is
to debauch character and destroy effic-
iency.
The wonder is, not there are few but
that there are so many honest men in
official positions when we think Of the
why, and the way they were placed |
there.
The abominable spoil system in vogue
has produced the corrupt politician, ex-
tending from nation to state. from state
to county, from county to town, so it
has tempted men to make politics a
Career. -. ~---------------t
The management of conventions, pri-
maries, caucuses and election requiring
constant attention by class of men
who make a living out of it,
They are only party men as long as
party ministers to personal profit. They
serve God just so far as not to offend
the devil. He belongs to a party he
can run. He clamors for tariff, but
tariff levied for himself, and if we were
to ask him what is the greatest good to
the greatest number, he would answer,
Number One"
What is the reason we hear prophecies
of failure in the noble qualities of man
hood when a Young man goes into poll
tics Would you tell him to keep out of
it if your best citizens were in it?
If there is to be any permanent bene-
fit to the county from the present re-
volt against political bosses and grafters
we must emphasize more and more that
personal integrity, clean associations, a
fine sense of public duty, are the requis-
ties, not handicaps, to successful po-
litical career.
What sort legislation and law enforce
ment against gambling, Saloons slot
poker joints, ETC., can you ex-
pect from men who find their most con-
genial companionship in such places2
The answer of Jesus to those who
came to him with a question, Is it law
full to pay tribute, gives the position
of Christianity on these civic questions.
Party interests are never paramount
to public good.
Partyism blinds men to any good in
another party.
Partyism keeps good men from stand
ing together for better local govern
ment.
The indepedent voter is abroad, but
the majority Of them are with those
who have false ideas of liberty.
We are altogether too Indifferent
about the qualifications of men for Of
fee.
1t is just as much the duty of good
man to shoulder the responsibility for
the proper care of the Office, as it ever
was for man to shoulder his musket.
Party prejudice, party power, makes
it almost impossible for man of in
tregrity, brains, and self-respect to be
elected alderman in some of our smaller
cities as well as large ones, against
a bribe giver and bribe taker-a hale
fellow we'll met.
1t ought to be no longer possible for
booser, bribe taker and vote buyer in
politics to be accounted gentleman