The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1915-01-15

followers who help them In their cam
paign, and battle against the enemy, and
think it great crime to put Democrats
in office during a Democratic administra-
ten OF course we expect to receive
very little appreciation from such, and
really care very little about their opinion
in this regard But among those who
serve in the ranks of either party, we
feel quite sure that Mr.. Bryan's senti-
ments will find hearty welcome. The
phrase of ''to the victor belongs the
spoils, perhaps sounds a trife greedy
and garish, and it might be modified
and paraphased in this wise: "The
successful candidate in any political con-
fict, or in any political contest, sht uld
put only capable members of his own
party in offices under his command or
CONTROL" This sounds little better in
the ears of those who make so much to-
do over the old campaign slogan, but it
just means identically the same thing,
and we rather fancy calling a spade
spade, particularly along these lines.
1t has ever been the custom in great
military campaigns for generals to re
ward brave officers and men for gallant
deeds on the field of battle, and just in
like manner, it is thoroughly appropriate
and proper in political campaigns to do
the same thing. We do not recall an
instance where a candidate has been
brave enough to 90 before the people
and declare himself as opposed to the
above sentiments-in other words, to say
that he will not give what patronage he
may have if successful to those of his
own party who have helped him through
out his fight for election. 1t is an un
derstood, if not mentiouable fact, and
the main body of voters of both parties
recognize it.
Without organization, unless there
should be some public uprising or an av
alanche directed against some unworthy
official or an unpopular principle. no
party can win as an entirety. Sometimes
candidate may rise head and should
ers above his fellows and secure the
plurality vote despite political conditions
in his own rank, but this is the excep
ton, and only goes to prove the rule.
THE CITIZEN believes in party organ
ization, believes in the selection of the
best men possible to be obtained for can
didates for all offices, and the appoint
ment by these officials, should they be
elected, of the best men they can get
from their party ranks. A departure
from this safe and proper course can not
help but bring discredit upon the indi-
vidual and the party, and confuse the
rank and file in future campaigns. 1t
is perfectly proper for every voter to as
pire for Office, and under the present
primary system, he can declare himself
at any time for any position he wishes;
and every voter also has right to hope
to have an appointment under euccess-
full candidate. 1t would be like slap
in the face, if being worthy and accept
able, his application was returned. and
selection made from the opposite party,
against which he and his friends had
made the strongest possible fight during
the campaign.
As long as the present system of vot
ing obtains, and political parties nomi-
nate candidates for all of the high Offices
in this country, the above questions and
thoughts will ever arise, and the more
determined successful candidates are in
the treatment of it, the better will be
the parties which elected them in sue
ceeding campaigns.
Mr.. Bryan has simply voiced the SEN
timents of men who have fought in the
field of politics all over the land in
these and other days, and his dignifed
treatment of his attempted traducers
will bring to him nothing but the high
est form of approval from his friends
and party associates throughout the
length and breadth of the land.
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