The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1910-06-24
Low Standard Of Politics i'm Mis-
siSsippi-
Vicksburg Post.

Vicksburg Post
| The tone and standard of publ,
life in Mississippi. unfortunately
has suffered. during the past two
years, and especially from the sena-
torial campaign of last winter. dis
| tinct deterioration. During the two
administrations Of Governor John
| NJ. Stone nothing was known, or
even intimated, in respec: To the
administration of the affairs of the
State for Interior or partisan pur-
poses. There were no rings or
cliques or cabals. The public inter
ests, and the public good. were alone
and exclusively the dominating and
controlling considerations that en-
tered into and formed the motives
and purposes of executive action.
Such thing as a deal in executive
patronage was unknown Such d
thing as partisan politics in execu
tive circles was unheard of, and the
people of the State would have stood
amazed if the suggestion or even the
insinuation had been that executive
patronage was dispensed discrimi-
natingly between aspirants for exec
utive appointments based on their
party preferences or their personal
political affiliations.
No man has ever intimated that
Governor Stone was influenced In
the slightest manner, or degree, IN
making executive appointme by
personal or partisan purposes, or Tor
any other motives or upon ANY 9TH
er consideration than the public IN
terfsts and public good.
1t is wholesome To- recall the ad
ninistration of honest, independent.
incorruptibe John VI. stone
Nobody ever questioned the dis
tinguished qualifications of the dis
tinguished jurists that Gov. .Stone
appointed as supreme court Judges,
rs circuit judges and as chancellors,
during the entire period of ms two
administrations.
Governor Stones second term was
followed 10y two terms of Governor
Robt. Lowry's administration Gov
ernor Lowry maintained the high
standard of judicial appointments
set by Governor Stone. He reap
pointed Governor Stones appoint
ees with but and rare exceptions,
and did not make appointments
during his two administrations. of a
political or partisan character. As
one among many illustrations OF
Governor Lowry's devotion to the
public welfare as the exclusive basis
for3executive appointments, he re-
appointed Judge. Chalmersaito the
supreme:court. who had always per-
senally opposed him in his political
aspirations, although his personal
preferences were for General Feath
erstone, his life long friend and po
litical supporter.
After Governor Lowry's second
term. Governor Stone was re-elect
ed. defeating Hon. Ethel Barksdale
for the nomination by a narrow ma
jority.
Governor Stone again pursued his
policy of an personal administra-
ton, appointing men to office from
the highest to the lowest, on con-
siderations exclusively of personal
merit and qualifications.
Democrats of standing and ability
and patriotism in those days, had
absolute freedom of political action.
There was no personal government,
no executive cliques or rings. no
court fav, rites. No courtiers who
bent the pregnant knee that thrift
should follow fawning. Nobody ask
gentleman in those days, when
his friends presented his name for
an executive appointment, whether
he was political supporter of the
Governor, or not There were no
ostracisms; no party of the ms
or party of the outs. " They were
all Democrats, and each man stood
on his merits. Nobody wore a POI
litical collar. The appointment of
a Democrat was not supposed to in
volve considerations of individual
and personal interests. There were
no deals in those days.
Governor Vardaman pursued the
same policy of non-partisan and
non personal executive appoint
ments. He appointed men to office
who had opposed him in his polit-
ical aspirations. and those who had
favored him in politics. without any
discrimination in this regard. His
appointments were non-discrimina-