Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-09-23
THE BUSINESS MAN
VS.. THE POLITICIAN
(By G. C. Mcintosh

by q. T.. Mclntosn1
It is not surprising that the
politicians make so much cutlery
against the businessmen OF the
country.
Should the businessmen arouse
themselves they would quickly
and effectively snatch from the
politicians their hold on the
reins of government. There
fore, it is the game of the poll
ticians not only to keep the bust
nessmen in the background, but
also to arouse against them, by
every mans at their command a
prejudice and hostility.
The politician feeds on gov
eminent patronage. He works
his way along lines that are
pleasant, profitable and easy. He
makes the public pay the bills.
He popularizes himself by mock
generosity and pretended ser
vice to the people. He insti-
tutes legislation such as the bus
inessman, from a standpoint OF
self defense, must oppose. He
buys support for his measure
with expensive patronage, which
the people pay. The BUSINESS
man is hurt while no one gains
the slightest advantage from
the measure that was passed
through crooked deals with the
REPRESENTATIVES of 'the people"
It is because the politician
fears the businessman that ne
excites popular prejudice
against him. The politician is
aware that by all rules of rea-
son and good sense the business
man should administer the gov
eminent. Government is an en-
larged business institution. OPP
Grated in an ideal way it would
require fine tact and discrimina-
ton in choosing the force to pro-
pei it. With businessmen in the
places of authority public ser
wants would be chosen with ref
erence wholly to the certain du-
ties that were to be performed.
They would be paid such salaries
as men of like ability receive IN
other lines of employment. They
would be held to strict account
ability; promoted if efficient;
discharged if incapable, and no
excuses offered.
The politician would look with
awe upon such a proceeding.
Such a state of affairs would
destroy his trade; it would re-
duce his income and, horror up
on horrors he would have to go
to work. 1t would retire his
proud and regal form back to
that indescribable chaos of
which he has spoken so fully and
knows so little" the people,"
The politician knows, though,
that the businessman is fully
build sentiment, or attend prl-
maries or organize elections
much less run for Office"
Therefore, the politician rests
secure in his profession. He has
time to build sentiment, attend
and set up" primaries, run
for" office or have it brought
around to him on a silver plat
ter. He choose the nominees for
all the offices and contents him
self with the mere owning OF
them and the collection of the
tolls that they afford.
Some day the businessmen
will awaken to the fact that they
are being destroyed and the
government weakened, because
of their inactivity in politics.
When they do assert themselves,
an end will come to the enter
prise of the professional politi-
clan. The businessmen can
show without any sort of diff
cuty that it is he and not the
politician that is necessary to
those that toll as well as to the
vast number depending upon
him.
Plainly, it is the duty of the
businessman to take his stand
in the affairs of the state and