Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-14

live at the expense OF the public by
making a profession of office-holding
or office e-brokerage. Party politics Is
bad enough, but personal politics Is
even worse. For personal politics OBJ
scures decentralization as to principles
1t means that this man or that man
wants an office, a job that will give
him fame, power Of an easy wage, and
it begets a state Of public mind which
estimates an economic question, ac-
cording to the attitude toward 1t of
the mere personal leader, and the
mere personal leader is more likely to
be influenced by guess as to the ef-
feet Of his action upon the superficial
mind of his following than by broad
and statesman-like regard for the pub
lie good.
Another effect of personal politics
furthered by the press was epitomiz-
ed by the Albany Herald in comments
upon the recent campaign in Georgia,
1t said:
Politics is materially interfering
with business in Georgia. While there
is so much agitation and at a time
when friend and neighbors are divid-
ed and engaged in an effort to down
each other in the campaign, 1t is al
most impossible to procure co-opera-
ton in the promotion Of community
interests or industrial enterprises that
should be receiving the attention that
their Importance would seem to de-
mand and all such matters and things
as these are, therefore, being neglect
ed until after the political campaign
has run its. course. Such political agi-
tation as we are now having all over
Georgia not only interrupts business,
but arrests the spirit Of community
terial interests"
Georgia's experience, the concentra-
ton for many weeks within less than a
year after the Inauguration Of a gov
ernor, Of thought and energy upon the
selection of a governor who may not
even live to be inaugurated year or
more hence, was symptomatic. II
differed in intensity only from the
general southern experience. 1t rests
with the newspapers Of the south
whether the experience shall continue
or whether there shall be a real re-
form by which local politics at least
shall be subordinated to everything
else. A political campaign once in
every four years and spread over five
or six months Is big enough drain in
all reason upon the resources Of a
country. When the campaigning be-
comes almost continuous it is amazing
that there Is any progress at all. Such
politics thrives upon publicity. Close
the channels Of publicity and the poll
tics will languish, the blight upon ma
terialities will be removed. The init
mate relations between some news
papers and some politicians may delay
the consummation Of the reform, but
1t can be accomplished. A start can
be made in determining that political
matters shall be treated only accord
ing to their news value, that the aver
age political speech, being essentially
an advertisement of the speaker, shall
be published In full only at advertising
rates, and that ten lines telling Of the
establishment of news industry or
Of plans for civic improvement or So
cial betterment are worth more than
ten columns Of details Of a party con-
vention.
There may be a temporary loss Of
advertising returns dependent upon
the favor of party managers, but
presently this loss will be more than
repaired by returns from ADVERTISE
ments Of people who do things and
make things to sell. The doing and
the making will be a part Of the de-
velopment that will come with a re-
duction Of political activities to their
proper proportions, and intentness
upon the doing and the making Will
divert the public mind from the pol
itics of personal partisanry and permit
It to give the needed attention to the
politics that makes for business. Ii
the press of the south will give to
material affairs the energy and vim
It now gives to politics-if 1t Will train
its readers to see more Of interests In
story Of washed soil redeemed by
improved cultivation than in a politi-
cal discussion, more in what some
thrifty farmer is doing to diversity his
crops or improve his stock, more In
advocacy of good roads, municipal
improvements and local industries
than in hair-splitting theories on pro-
lection on tariff for revenue, then Will
the press be making the way ready
for the southwark march Of its wan
derers.
For months Georgia was stirred
with an activity in political affairs
which ought to illustrate how every
state in the south could be stirred
with activity in material upbuilding
If the press Of the south would beno
its energies to the advancement OF
business interests with the sleepless
energy the press Of Georgia fol
months gave to political discussion
and work. there would soon be seen
material upbuilding from Maryland to
Texas, which would make the south
the wonder Of the world. If men car
be so imbued with energy in political
affairs, why can't the same energy
now be wisely directed to the things
which vitally concern the progress and
prosperity Of the people? The power
to accomplish this Is in the hands OF
the press Of this section, and upon the
press rests the responsibility OF dong
it or leaving it undone. What shall DC
the verdict of the future as to how tne
press has met this opportunity? MY
faith in the men who control the
newspapers of the south makes me De-
lieve that they will deserve and receive
the well done, good and faithful SER
want"
FED BY CLOCK WORK.
Horses Given Their Rations by Means
of a Cheap Clock.
A provision merchant in Oldham