The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-04-02
THURSDAY, APRIL ;. 1914
Let's Cut George Out of 1t
For Once

Let George 90 IL Is 'l' ~
To the average citizen when you ASH
him TO take a hand in politics, anu
csoree in the shape of the profession
al politician. does it and does us u
his own glory and profit. We don |
feel ourselves match for the fello"
who makes politics business the year
round. We are apt to get confused
and discouraged to give up the "hole
distracting puzzle We rouse niue
after election and grumble pretty Wig
orously. when protests have no ehect
other than to call out upon us Inc de-
rision of the professional worker al
the game.
Now there is no great mystery about
this matter of picking out our pubic
servants Any of us can have whole
lot 10 say about it, if we have a mind 10
and still follow our usual aVoeatioh
successfully. Things poii'iedl ai'
usually managed by little bunch
made up of those who have recently
been in office and want TO get in again,
those who are now in office and want
10 stay, and those who are qualifying
for admission to this supposedly
charmed circle. But this is only be-
cause we allow it to be SO. Those
who have no interest in these offices
are a host compared TO the class Just
enumerated, and there is no just thing
we cannot accomplish if we will only
do a little planning
Time was when the implements oil
government we're not of the rough
and ready sort, but we have recently
built some very simple and effective
TOOLS FOR DEMOCRACY and placed
them in every mans hand. With the
Direct Primary, if men who should not
get nominated for public service, 1t is
because we are all asleep at the
dunn make it possible to cancel any
unjust statute unless we are too in
dolent to make use of it. Now that
we have the machinery to make our
wishes effective. let no man complain
if an undesirable citizen gets into
office. The blame falls on us all. Nor
need we ever be burdened by an I'M
Just tax or oppressed by an unwise
law. There is no need. with our pre-
cont fo o;l;tinc for Iaouipp tho business
of government to the circle of office
seekers If we choose to abandon
the field to them, the results could
hardly be worse than we deserve.
This is election year. What say
Shall we do the job ourselves or turn
it over to George? We are going to
pick out right away, eleven men to do
whole lot of important business for
us They must be every one citizens
of Maine, but aside from that, there
are no restrictions. We can select
whomeyer we please. These men are
to serve us as governor, and congress-
men, also a couple of fellows for
State senators, and also men TO as
sumo the duties of county commission
er. sheriff, clerk of courts. county at
torney, register of deeds, register of
probate and county treasurer. Candi
dates for these places are being an
nounced from time to time. Find out
about them. If they don't suit, it is
easy enough to get the name of any
one you like better onto the primary
ballot. The method of doing so is by
petition, and they may be filed any
time on or before the first Monday in
next month. This paper is read by at
least ten thousand people every week.
We purpose to talk politics once in
a while and our columns are open to