The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1908-10-24

u
ways. And reform politics may be
classed as of two kinds the counter
felt variety and the genuine.
Independent. or reform movements
In political campaigns. are intended TO
be the breaking away of members OF
the old parties and consolidation OF
these ''bolters' for the purpose OF
eiectng a ticket which is supposed to
be better than either of the old-line
party tickets. Sometimes an inde-
pendent movement means this. Some
times II means that Democrat or a
Republican who has failed of the regu-
lar party nomination has been per-
suaded to mako the race on the
ground that he has been deprived OF
the nomination by unfair means. But
the basic element of independent
movements is always claim toward
lettering of conditions. and there
fore arguing a reform, politically.
Then there is usually the Prohibi-
ton movement to be reckoned with.
and this is strictly founded on reform
principles. Or ,here may be an edu-
cati0nal feature in the campaign
which win prove to carry the balance
OF power as to votes. and which may
be adopted in the platform of either
Of the parties with view to secure
vutes for the whole ticket. Politics
is largely game of expedients. and
ss the only things that count, in the
last analysis, are the votes, II follows.
therefore. as the night the day. that
votes are the prime necessities. and
any expedient to catch votes is consid-
cred justifiablc.
Other phases of reform politics may
enter particularly into national cam
paigns, and may influence local condi-
tons enough TO swing victory to a
aide which may be weaker on paper
than its antagonist.
In every large city and noticeably
IN my own city. / found two well de-
fined types of the political reformers,
with a smattering also of what were
known as ''cranks," "dreamers" and
.avisionaries." One of the two types
referred to was the hard-headed citi'
zen who, regardless Of ridicule and dis
enlargement. steadily set himself tc
work to better the class of Official
selection. without caring anything
for party affiliations, he associated
With organizations which went
after weak or. unfit candidates, and
supported and encouraged good candi
dates for all Offices. whether state
county or municipal.
This class cf men accomplished
with the aid of decent politicians. 1
great deal Of good. In the beginning
like all men actuated by really higl
motives, they we're derided and lam
pooned. and their lot. like the police
mans. was not a happy one But a
time went on they became a fore
which had to DC reckoned with. evel
by the most hardened OF the bosses,
excepting in what may be classed a
strictly saloon wards
In the saloon wards. where the a
dermen FOR instance, were saioonkeeI
err. or where the saloon influence prt
dominated overwhelmingly, the "bosI
ss- did not mind reform politics an
more than rhinoceros would min
the bife Of q mosquito. never coul
understand, knowing the absolut
hopelessness Of it, why the reformer
would sometimes try to break into
such I ward in an aldermanic can
nafm. / remember very well the o.
.casion OF . gentleman calling on N
ana endes voring to enlist my service
- : speaker in . campaign OF tn
- nov the disxraceful cond