The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1930-02-01
Supporting Candidates


AS each election approaches called upon to meet
the demands of friends who insist that bring out
didates responsibility Usually this is unWiSe
and almost always unsuccessful
In the old days when the prohibition party the
leader of the fight dry nation the temperance
pie did bring candidates and frequently nominated an
entire ticket This could not be avoided for political
party must provide for the management of all depart
ments of government if it is to function a party
When after repeated failures looked for better
we confined efforts securing the enactment of pro-
hibton laws by the in power not as party but as
friends of a policy.
From the time we adopted this plan the prohibition
cause has forward steadily to the high de-
gree of acceptance In retaining what we
have obtained and raverSng the distance which still re-
mains in order complete observance Of the pro-
hibon law it is necessary to follow the same course OF
action which has brought US to this point In order to
secure what desire it and is necessary to SHOW
that we represent enough votes that it will be to the
interest of the political leaders to comply with our re-
quest They may interested theoretically in principles
in causes in policies but the fight between the parties
is for control It is neither moral nor immoral For
the most part they deal with questions of public policy on
which differences OF opinion would naturally ARISE Cou
eoueny the principles policies incorporated in the
party platform those which the party leaders believe
will secure sufficient public support SO that the party
can win the election In that way public opinion finds
political expression. They used farm relief prohibition,
soldier bonus world court and other proposals ladder
by which they hoped to climb to success That IS not
wrong That simply the way the political game nee
STAND BY OUR FRIENDS WHO STAND BY
PROHIBITION
Bearing this in mind please observe that when the
AnSaloon League temperance forces of the country
who espouse their to the political leaders to
secure their support certain election they are bound
on that particular election to support the party candidate
that complies with their request,
Now the same principle applies to the individual in
matters which not been taken by the party as
such The individual politician is moved by the same
tho
can do nothing whatever unless he does win and often he
espouse these causes and principles which he believes
will assist him to win in the locality he desires to repre-
sent Your of principle goes to the party or cand
date that supports his principle the only difference in
the in the order of events to whether party or
friends first When, therefore, at request
candidate agrees to take up and support cause in which
you are interested he expects quid pro quo II he sup
ports your measure he expects you to support him and
from standpoint of practical politics this is fair
proposition He must win If he eSpouSeS any cause he
will naturally lose the votes of those who opposed to
it and to offset this loss he must have the support of those
who in favor of it. Unless the politician is elected
however friendly he may be- he can do nothing for you