The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-05-17
WHAT IS A BOSS 2.
Democratic County Chair
man MCCarty Defines
the Term
REMARKABLE INTERVIEW CIV
EN- BY MAN WHO HAS HELD
POSITION FOR TWELVE
YEARS.


YEARS.
"A boss is a politician, who by
political maneuvers forges himself to
the head of the party he represents,
and then surrounds himself by poll
tical subordinates and lieutenants, to
such an extent, that he becomes en-
trenched in the party as dictator of
its policies and nominations"
mat would be my definition of a
boss" said County Chairman Chas.
A. McCarty to a Citizen man Satur-
day morning in reply to the question
What is a boss
The reporter thought Mr.. McCarty
ought to be in good position to give
an expert definition of what a party
leader really is, since for the past
twelve years, in fact ever since 1899,
he has been chairman of the Demo-
cratic County Committee, as well as
being secretary for a number of
years before that.
MIR. McCarty has been in the lime
light considerably, having in the
year 1851, served one term in the
Legislature. He also filled the Office
of District Attorney for one term,
and that of County Solicitor for a
similar period. For two years, Attor-
ney McCarty was President of the
Town Council, and is now serving his
second term as borough solicitor. He
is not by any means a corporation
attorney in fact most of his life he
has been arrayed against them.
Mr.. McCarty opened the interview
by remarking to the reporter, Il was
looking over some old papers the
other day. 1t reminded me of how
rapidly these events pass and be-
come local history There's papers
here, really don't know why | saved
them. There's a Philadelphia In
quirer of April 21, 1892"
The paper in question contained a
long story, headed Elected For
Fourth Term" and embellished by
his picture, of his election for the
fourth successive term as county
chairman, owing to his excellent legal
judgment and energetic services to
the party"
while County Chairman medi-
tatively resumed Mr.. McCarty, a
man has a wonderful experience in
learning the characteristics of a vast
number of people.
" During my incumbency of this
office there has been the Quay and
Anti-Quay faction and a large num-
| Der of Republicans saw fit to bolt and
become insurgents. We've had them
by the scores. I've never in my ex-
perience had a Republican ask me
for money. What do you think OF
that?"
The reporter thought "mirabile
| dictu."
1T showed they were sincere in
what they were doing. Although
they left the party they didn't come
over with any idea of getting paid
for it.
During these twelve years, per.
haps, there's been as many hard
! fought political battles as there has
been in the political history of this
county.
Judge Perry A. Clark was the
chairman who preceded me. He haC
been in four or five years. o. A
Rowland was secretary. When l got
in w. w. Wood was county chairman
and for a number of years after
wards.
My percentage of victories wa.
more than half the offices although
for a number of years before We
scarcely elected candidate.
How does Wayne county frame
up politically" he was asked.
well, l think it's so close i
would be difficult to say, just how
you would place it politically. Yol
see the popularity of a man or thu
unpopularity would carry it eithel
way sometimes with quite a major
ity.
81 stand with the insurgents in thu
State Democratic party 1t can
make the party any worse than i
was. There is a possibility tha
some good may come out of it b!
eliminating these bosses
Mr.. McCarty then gave his defini
tion of boss, as narrated at tn,
opening of the interview.
When Judge Purdy was first nom
mated Bernard Riley was chairman
of the Democratic county committee
and l was secretary when he wa
nominated the second time. I wa
not member of the County Commit
tee because a chairman doesn't neces
sarily have to be a member of tn
County Committee.
Judge Purdy secured the resigna
tion of the Honesdale member of tn
County Committee and had me ap
pointed to fill his place so that
might be elected chairman of tn
County Committee. without an
CONTINUED on Page Four.)