Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-03-21
LESS POLITICS AND MORE PATRIOTISM

The Oregonan a few days ago had quite lengthy
editorial the duty of Americans getting together and
working for common purpose. Boiled down it took the
position that needed more patriotism and less politics.
1t is true there naturally must be two parties at least
to which the voters may turn, Tor there Will always be
wide divergence Of opinion to the best methods of
aging public affairs and is impossible for all to get to-
gether in agreeing on many things.
While this is true to affairs of national character it
is no longer true Of state and county affairs Time
when the county and state offices apporOned out
to the party in power rewards for political activities
The who worked hardest and did the most for his
party was given office according to his deserts.
The sheritfs office was always considered the plum in
county offices with the county clerks position a close
second and these officers selected according their
merits party workers. and not account of their fit
ness for the places
The same system exists yet as to federal appointments
the offices being considered the rewards turned
the senators congressman to be apportioned to the
party workers. AS result the federal offices such as
collector of internal revenue and the postOces given
rewards for political instead of for fitness
SO far as the federal offices are concerned the rea-
sons that responsible for the system still remain
that is party service.
1t is bad SYSTEM for it makes the senators and con-
gressmen dctaors in the state to who shall fill the
federal offices within the state and species of bribery
Whatever was back of this system in state and
county affairs has vanished There is longer such
thing state politics, for outside Of using the of
one party OF another to ride into office on there is no
state county Office that has anything to do with political
affairs.
When the United States senators were elected by the
legislature the politics of the individual legislator was of
Importance. His in political office for his
political beliefs WOuld-outSide of eXtraneOuS crdlm-
stancesJdecide the political party from which the senator
would be chosen.
When the election of senator was taken from the
legislature the politics of the individual awmaker ceased
to be of any Importance. The governor still has remote
political Importance for in of vacancy in the office
of senator, he appoints.
Outside of the governor there is not an office in the
state that it makes any difference whether the
pant is republican, democrat or of any other political
faith.
What we need is officials who are best fitted for the
positions and in selecting sheriff any other county
officer his fitness for the place. his ability to perform the
duties of the office best should be the only criterion 1t
would be foolish to ask candidate for any of these
places his religion his politics, for neither has any in
fuence on his work
Oregon has vast work before it in solving many
serious problems connected with her development and in
selecting her officers for this work she should select the
best without regard to what they believe about the tariff
preparedness BaXerS hints to the uncOnyered or who
struck Billy Patterson. One of these has just as much
to do with the ability of person to carefully and success
fully manage an office as the other.
In the selection OF men, women, to fill these places
we should inquire into the honesty and efficiency of the
candidates and not bother about their politics. religion
lodge affiliations In this regard the 0egonian is correct
We need more patriotism and less politics. and
less Sensitveness about political Beliefs handling
of public business with the same care and watchfunesS
we display in managing our private affairs and we
ainy do not inquire into the politics religion Of