The monitor., 1928-03-30

neck which necessarily circumscribe
his activities in office.
With these facts in mind, we must
approach this grave task with sober
judgment. We shall have to choose
between one who is free to perform
the functions of his office as his con-
science may direct him, or one whose
acts must conform in every detail to
the will of the machine. Political
subserviency or economic freedom
which? Our decision on this propo-
sition will determine our future po-
litical status in this community. On
it will stand or fall our prestige as
an integral part of the community in
which we live. In order that we may
be more enlightened on the workings
of the political machine in any com
munity, | shall proceed to outline a
few of its features.
The very name machine" has
come to mean almost reproach to
some of us who do not understand
it's mechanism. The machine is not
necessarily corrupt; neither is any
machine devoid of corruption. 1t has
its virtues and its vices. 1t is poll
teal organization whose sole purpose
is to promote political ends by way
of combined means and effort. There
is one in every community where
there are political interests to be
served or ambitions to promote. 1t
has its laws, bylaws and its member
ship. 1t has political services for
sale. 1t does not foist its favors on
anybody but it expects and exacts
absolute obedience to its laws from
any one who seeks and receives its
support.
1t does not claim morality, neither
does it promise to be guided by any
set code of ethics. 1t is political, and
confines its activities to this cold and
calculating business of promoting
political interests. 1t is not hypo-
critical. 1t lays it's cards on the
table face up and leaves the choice
with those seeking its support.
Once an agreement is entered into
with is by anybody, high or low, it
exacts strict compliance with its
every detail. 1t always has its price
fer ali favors extended. No man
who receives its favors is ignorant
of what price he must pay. Whose
ever and whenever he fails to pay,
the machine promptly and swiftly
withdraws its props and throws the
subject down without mercy. 1t will
also set about to punish its subject
in the most humiliating manner it
knows. And here is the point at is
sue. Here is the question the voters
must decide in the primaries April
10th in the Ninth district Shall we
support the man who is chosen for as
by such an organization whose will he
must serve and whose orders he must
obey, or shall we support a man of
our own choosing who is free to act
in the interest of those who elect
him?
Shall we support a man whose very
candidacy was brought about as a
means of punishment for one who
dared to exercise his own judgment?
Shall we vote to elect man upon
whom we are not to depend for any
act in our interest except that that
act absolutely conforms to the will
of a political machine? Shall we
support one member of our group
who gives himself over to the ma
chine to be used as a punishment for
another of our group? These are
the questions we must answer April
10th and there should be no hesita-
ton on the part of any self-respect-
ing loyal race man or woman in max
ing their choice.
Let us approach this matter with
seriousness and sound judgment. Let
US no longer sign on the dotted line.
Think and act for yourselves, for in
this way and by this means only will
we ever prove worthy of the suffrage
which the constitution gives us.
GEO. H. w. BULLOCK.