The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-04-14
Comment On Political Affairs
By THE EDITOR

Politicians.--It is. a habit common
to great many people, and one to
which The Tribune is at times addict
ed, to berate, condemn. and ridicule
the politician. 1t is to be noted that
politicians are guilty of the same prac-
tice. In the abstract, the politician is
an altogether undesirable citizen; in
the concrete he is a necessary, valua-
BILE and worthy type. He does more
work for less remuneration than any
other member of society except posi-
bly, the journalist His great rewards
are the consciousness of work well
done and the heeting applause of the
public. Sometimes with the best eff
forts and the noblest motives he can
not realize the first nor gain the sec
ond. He then goes forward, back
ward, or stands still, conscious that
he has done his best. There is great
deal of public spirit and real sacrifice
in the life of the meanest politician.
The rewards of politics are small; the
discomfitures are great; appreciation
is slow-it usually. arrives shortly after
death-abuse and villihcation are
quick and immediate.
The politician must have courage and
determination in marked degree. He
must stand in defiance OF public clam
or at times. He must have foresight
that he may perceive the tendency of
the public mind on the one hand, and
the ultimate result of proposed
measure on the other. He must symp-
athizc with the common people in
their aspirations but be ever ready to
deny them temporary expedients they
ask in quest of an aspiration. He can
stand solely by pleasing majority of
the people and frequently his duty
compels him to displease that MAORI
ty. Of necessity his position is often
equivocal.
The statesman is simply dead poll
tician. The boss is simply a politician
of lower order. The discredit of the
politician comes from the activities of
the boss and this scrutiny will be de-
voted to the latter.
The first requisite of political boss
is wholesome interest in public af-
fairs. Without such an interest no
man can become the boss of his ward,
city. county or state. That he incl
dentally profits by the opportunities
he makes is natural and inevitable So
does the minister of the gospel who
possesses eloquence; the doctor of
medicine who has skill; the teacher of
the youth who has aptitude and un-
Each and every one of
us reap the rewards of our efforts and
in proportion to the intelligence which
we bring to the appointed task. The
carnfd fsC,r e s,ka Tn,
telligence is that which enables the
it should be done; and how it can be
done. Above this he must have the
ability to persuade the average man
that his enterprise should be undertake
en- and in the may he wishes. The
third essential is honesty. Notwith-
standing the corruption in politics
there is honesty there that is unknown
in business. 1t is the honesty of truth
fulness to others; fair division of the
spoils of battle; and consideration of
the welfare of the public. A success
ful politician must be fairly honest
whatever may be his native inclina-
tons or natural propensities. A char
acteristic demanded is courage and de-
He must have the cour-
age to follow his course and to de-
struction if necessary. There is moth
ing more pitiful; no one more con-
than a webbing politician.
Such one may be lifted up by acct
dent and even held up for time by |
but he is never more |
than an accident. He is not a politi-
clan any more than the heir of a bank
err is banker.
The elements that go to make a |
political boss are the elements we
rightly prize in, the character OF men.
They are the elements of leadership. |
They would make for leadership in |
a profession or in business. The boss
is a man, always an extraordinary
man, who has chosen public service |
IS the way in which he will make his
way in the world. He resorts to the |
practices that are necessary to his
trade even as the banker, lawyer and
preacher. 1t is the scheming business
man who turns boss who brings rep
rehension on the trade. The instincts
Of the former overcome the ideals of |
the latter and you have the corrup-
ZIONIST. The successful boss cannot
deal corruptlv by his followers nor by
the public. The one will soon cease
TO- follow, the other will refuse to be
guided, unless all are dealt by fairly.
NNbao - g A.. IL.