Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-23
Who Shall Be Our Political Leader?

VINO Snall be our FoHtiCdI GedoeT'
Is it reasonable to ask ourselves
such a question? Then how are We to
answer the question? What test are
We to make TO prove that man IS
worthy? In our schools we nave tests
to prove the merits of teachers ana
superintendent. The government de-
|Anands. tests of ability in all civil SER
vice work. A man can not now even
hold a fourth class post Office with
out an examination. Shall we be less
particular with our political leaders,
and allow them to present themselves
for office with no standard of efficien-
cy?
1t must be remembered that we live
in an age when the man seeks the Of
fee, and not the office the man. We
must have some way to avoid unwor-
thiness creeping in and fooling us into
dishonor. 1t is our business to study
the candidate, and know his object in
desiring office. Is it to serve the peo-
pie, or to serve himself? We must
Judge the present by the past. Has
the man lived a life of service, or have
all his plans and purposes been inward
rather than outward? Has his whole
life heen spent in mere getting or in
giving? If mans whole thought has
been turned inward, how do we know
that his Office may not be turned
toward personal advantage rather
than toward the betterment of the
people, and especially the common
people at large? man should
prove himself at least in some kind of
benefaction before he should expect a
people to count him worthy of holding
a position wherein is involved the in
terests of all others. 1t should be
remembered that the peoples inter-
ests are ever at stake, and any one
man in power may sell their interests
in many ways, and what is more. he
may do it and never be questioned or
imputed of treachery. A good repre-
sentative not only knows the best in
terests of the people, but he holds
them in sacred trust. and will never
vote them away. He would rather
die martyr than betray that trust.
But that doesn't decide who shall be
our political leaders, who shall repre-
sent Us in all the making and chang
ing of law, and doing business for the
people of the State. That is what we
have here for consideration. The ques-
ton is not who the man, but the type
of man.
Our choice should never be the
crooked, selfish man. Though he may be
able to "speak with the tongue of an
gels and move people by his elo-
quence, he is never to be relied on. II
he is crooked look out for crooked pol
| itics. But we must choose and our
choice must be between the better
and the best. A weak man in high Of
| fee should never be considered for a
moment. God have mercy on us IL the
outside world is to- measure us, our
mental ability and our moral fibre by
some of those who have held high Of
| flee in the past.
Then, too, an office is not to be be-
slowed upon a man as a kind of hon.
orary degree because he 'stood pat,
| and voted fer others in the ring.
Every man should stand on his own
merits, and by these live or perish.
The Best Our Only Choice-Nothine
but the best. the best mentally, the
best morally, should be our choice
But who is the best man? Measure
the men. The writer prefers the test
given by Gethro whom he would have
serve Moses in dealing out justice L
Israel. If any one is able to produce 8
better test let him bring 1t forth. II
is found in Fec. 1921. 1t is the idea
man, the one alone worthy to rule
Moreover thou shalt provide out o.
all tie people able men. such as feal
God. men Of truth, hating unjust gain
and place such over them to be rul'
ers." s
Because of its source the words may
sound rather archaic. and because i
comes from the Bible, few ma,
sneer. but If some of us lived little
nearer the Bible, l am sure We woult
cause less trouble, and make little
better world in which to live. Bu
study those words from the lips OF thu
old sage of the desert. They Nigh
bring us a little nearer to righteous
government, and better satisfy thu