The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-01-19
NON-PARTISAN FOLDEROL


We hear a good deal of talk about
non-partisan and bipartisan public
boards and commissions for this or
that purpose. From our view point
we see little virtue or advantage to
the public in such alleged reform at
tempts.
AS to non-partisan boards or COM
missions, we don't believe there is
any such thing or can be under our
political system of government. Where
the people or many rule, there is of
necessity divergent views and con-
victions as to fundamentals, and
hence political organizations or par
ties naturally spring into existence.
Political parties represent fundamen-
tai principles or policies of govern
ment, and there is no place for nom
partisans where these principles are
involved. Therefore, the public Off
GERS elected by any party to carry out
the policies for which it stands, in
filling appointive positions on public
boards or commissions, weaken them
by placing men in such positions who
hold different convictions, or no known
convictions at all, as to these poll
cies.
To say that men who are non-par-
tisan-that is, have no decided pref
erence for the underlying principles
of one political party or the other
would prove more efficient, honest OF
loyal to the public good, is absurd
Their partisanship or natural preju.
dice would crop out large and per.
sistent whenever any question arose
to excite it. To say that man of de
cided partisan convictions would no
be equally capable, honest and loya
to the general veal, is altogether alb
surd.
And the so-called bipartisan board
or commissions would not be any NOR
capable and conscientious in discharg
ing their duties than those wher'
there is a preponderating represen
tation of the party in power. Their
must come a time, too, in all sucl
! boards when a clash over some ques
ton of party policy or advantage
, thrusts itself upon their deliberations
The result is an equally divide
board--for bipartisan means a
equal number of some two parties
{ deadlock would ensue and nothing
would be accomplished one way o
, the other; and the question might b
, one of imminent Importance. Whethe
it be an alleged non-partisan or bi
| partisan board the partisan feeling
! from which no intelligent Democra
or Republican, Prohibitionist or So
cialist, can wholly divorce himselt
, will naturally assert itself
) To our mind, the public boards o
: commissions which have prepond
: Grating representation on them of tn
+ party in power, are just as safe, ca
pable and loyal to the public good a
e any non-partisan or bi-partisa
] board or commission that could b
] formed. On all questions not involv
ing party policy there would be n
e cause for division on party lines
s they would be decided on their merit
a according to the views of majorit
! Of the acting board. On questions in
. volving in some particular party poll
I cy, they would be decided by the ma
jority members and their party woul
: shoulder the responsibility. If the
e proved to be against public sentimer
:. the people would call the responsible
e party to account.
D The principal thing is to get hor
: est, capable, progressive men on a
b boards and commissions, but it is foo
|, ishness to SO constitute them as t
: block the policy of the party in powe
: on some, to it, vital point. 1t isn't j
: accord with human nature, good POI
: itics or representative government
] for be it remembered ours is polii
Y Eical and a representative government
rHf aiai -
4 LAMM CONTEST THROWN OUT