La Junta tribune., 1911-12-16

Pile OF his own district or state. Few.
II any. Of the great
questions before the
country at the pres
ent time are really
party questions. The office.seekers
naturally adhere to their own party
machinery, because otherwise they
would have no chance to get the nom
nations or appointments. And many
thousands OF excellent citizens con-
tinue TO call themselves republicans
or democrats because OF traditional
associations. But party feeling does
not sway mems minds as In former
years. and good government is an
ideal that men are learning to value
more highly than the success OF
their own party. The citizen should
be outspoken. and he should sncour'
age his congressman to be frank and
to deal with questions on their mer.
its. Some republican congressman
have been afraid TO say what they
really though, abou, reforming the
tariff. and some democratic congress.
men have been afraid TO say what
they thought about the best way TO
deal with railroads, trusts, and large
corporations IL Is usually the fault
of congressman's constituents when
he has TO play the demagogue. As
rule the congressman would like to
be allowed to think honestly and
speak sincerely.
For almost year to come the
people OF the United States will hear
much OF politics and public questions
The so-called presidential year has
It's drawbacks II does. indeed. seem
to interfere with business hut
our greatest business after all. Is the
government. and IL needs constant
attention. Let every citizen take a
keen interest In these things, and
try to arouse thos"
~ among his neighbors
'" nav who show either cyn-
N'"e' icism or Indifference
tlt is a time for men to be good tenn
per d but exceedingly frank Power
In this country rests with the pco-
pie. The politicians do not own the
offices. People who are In Office
have been put there 10 attend strict
Is 10 their official duties, with an
eye single 90 the public welfare. No
man In office has any mortgage on
his Job There IL not the slightest
presumption. under our form OF gov
"rnment. la favor Of the reelection q
public office Of a man who has
been elected once. !, Is not only
the right. but 1t Is the duty, OF
citizens Ia republic 10 be- outspok'
en- about public officials and public
affairs There Is no Law OF the land,
nor Is there any rule OF etiquette.
against criticising officials, Far from
It's being rude or imptopcr 10 criti-
che Judges. Tor example. there Is no
set Of men holding office In this coun
try who ought to be more constantly
criticized when they show wrong
tendencies. either In motive or logic,
than men on the bench.
/ Executive Officers should b. held ac-
coun,ablc for any lack OF close attcn-
ton TO duty. and their conduct should
b. as free a. ,ha, OF judges from the
taint Of fayortlsm or private motive
There has never been time when
the ordinary citizen had u better
chance than now to use his voice and
his vote FOR the public welfare This
political year means scores OF thous'
ands q candidates for
Common Voter
places. The voter
should demand OF his
party that II bring forward the best
possible candidates. and he should
ask the candidates to express them.
selves fully as TO their intentions and
convictions The voter should also d..
mand ,oic. In the making OF nomi.
nations. The individual member Of
n political party should not permit
candidates Ia b. selected by star.
chamber methods. or by machinery
that Ia not responsive TO the real
party sentiment.
Madam WaoAnnAn ineN 0(fle ara