The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-11-10

what may be well
termed racial poll
ties To an outsider, the facts are of
course not apparent enough to make it
interesting, but to a man on the "in-
side" the drama is chock-full of inter
est, AS l had, and have, no sort of
prejudice against any race or creed.
my experience in municipal politics
was as good as an extended course of
travel In foreign countries. | saw the
various outs and ms of politics unfold
themselves, viewing matters with a
strictly impartial eye. There was moth
Ing in the life of the city that was not
In some way, either remote or immi-
nent, connected with the political
game. A man might stay at home and
abjure politics if he wished to- and
most of the native Americans did this
but his sin would find him out. Then.
when he made his roar of protest
against existing conditions, he had no
one but himself to blame.
The ward l lived in was. for our
city, singularly free from an admixture
of races. There were quite a number
or Germans, a large array of Swedes,
Norwegians and Danes, some Irish and
lrlsh-Americans, a strong colony of
Poles, a few English and Welsh, some
Bohemians, and a scattering of Greeks,
Arabians, Jews, Armenians, Italians.
Spanish, Chinese Firms, Scotch. Rus.
SLAMS and some Americans, with an oc-
casional Patagonian or a native of
the Cannibal Islands. But it was not
one of those wards of the city where
all races under the sun were repre-
scented; and few besides.
By and large the Irish-Americans
ran" the ward. That is, in our par
~ 1t was the simplest thing in the
world. They were born politicians
taking to politics as a duck does to
water, and having a real love for the
game. They were ready speakers
and sometimes good ones; they were
invincible "hustlers;" they always at
tended the ward meetings, and usual
ly held the Offices they were active in
getting acquainted, liberal in their pur-
suit OF their natural prey-the other
races-and resourceful. They were not
too scrupulous in attaining a desired
end, and they never lost heart in de-
feat. They could and did rejoice in a
victory, but they were never cast down
when they lost. It's all well enough
to talk about the alleged volatility of
the Irish race, but they make good
soldiers, don't they? Well, there's o
deal of discipline and other military
ingredients in political life, and while
1t is true that in the rural districts the
American comes out strong for poll
tics, in the majority of the cities, big
and little, the Irish-American poll
ucians run things" If you don't be-
lieve this, travel little and inquire.
But politics is such disagreeable
work, don't you know" Of course
don't you know" But the result of
letting politics go hang while one
keeps his nose stuck tenaciously to
the grindstone of business often re
suits in disaster to the entire commu-
nifty "doncherknow." And l for one.
had nothing but bitter contempt for
the people of my race who lifted pro.
testing hands and gave voice to the
'lily-livered' dictum that politics was
a gentleman couldn't en-
gage in"
But speaking of Americans" so
ar as the cities are concerned, where
are they?
English and Irish Dutch and Danish,
German, Italian, French and Spanish,
yrORStnp fhair ms
In one conglomeration:
50 subtle tangle OF blood indeed
NO Heraldry- Harvey could ever succeed |
In finding the circulation"
You can find regulation Americans |
down in Kentucky, for instance, men
Who can trace their ancestors clear |
Town to Daniel Boone in an unbroken
inc. You may find them indulging in
uch pleasantries as burning tobacco
or shooting at each other
rom behind rail fences, for they are
luite as handy with a rife as Daniel
vas.
The Poles. were clannish nation.
md no one else could do anything
n their wards. Where they repre.
ented only a smattering of strength
hey could be handled fairly we'll by
he leaders" in the ward. but they
we're live members" and wanted some
hare in the "spoils" of office.
The Bohemians were also a com.
'atvely inclined people, politically.
md waged lively campaigns in the
Yards where they held the balance of
ne voting power. But they did not
AVE the cohesiveness of the Poles.
md candidates of other nationalities
ould occasionally squeeze in. The
Bohemian, and in fact all of the for.
ign-populated wards, were strong for
'ersonal liberty, and as near as DOS
ible for the social privileges
hey had enjoyed in Europe, minus any
intrusion of 1.-THE king business" The
voters were apathetic
Mostly only once in awhile producing
n orator or a hustling politician. They
we're governed in their political judg-
nents partly by party fealty, partly
" the question of personal fitness.
nd somewhat by the question of ma
ionality, But / give them credit for
lot being carried. away entirely by
ither pride of race or demand of par
Y. They really wanted good men: