Year: 1877

The American people are too much
They have their Town, Coun.
ty, State and municipal governments,
each costly burthen upon the tax pay
ers, But this could be borne, uncOm-
plainingly, were it not for certain disa-
greeable realities connected with these
various forms Of authority. One Of these
realities is. the creation of class who
look to olHce-holding as a means Of live
lihood, the other is the tendency to make
political issues of every delegation of au
thority. aud make partisanship test of
capacity in the place Of merit. Political
feeling is often carried into the most triv-
ial contests, from which animositles
arise which cannot fail to be detrimental
to the cause of good government. While
results like these are viewed with uneasi-
ness by all good citizens, it is, perhaps
foolish 10 look for any other while our
present system of selecting officers is fol-
lowed. Party conventions start the poll
teal ball in motion in the town and coun-
ty organizations, and the party feeling,
which accepts certain principles IN one
State as a guide to action extends TO all
the Others.


The bane of American politics is party,
and yet it seems difficult to imagine an
elective system OF government without
! H., - al m
the foundation of the government, party
feeling run almost rs high in the early
days of the Republic as ut any time since.
1t would seem to be almost an impossi-
billy to eliminate party from ursystem,
and the only thing left to do is to so guide
and direct feeling that party will not be
placed above country. The present
grave condition of the nation is awaken
ing thoughtful men to the dangers liable
to arise from the dsappointments follow
ing the defeat of Il party, and they are
casting about for such system Of gov
ernment as will avoid all such dangers in
the future. 1t is clear that when we have
Presidential election every four years,
we must expect the same strife, the
same ill-blood, the same factors of fraud
and force to be brought into play, the
e,ma charges of unlairness that have
oh tract erize1 the recent campaign. And
- ,ho even t. of close contest like this
bos hnan. we may expect the same
threats of resi-. tence which are banded SO
freely bv Democ ats now. 1t Is clear
that the Presidential office must, II posi-
Bile be taken from the direct roli''cs ol
the country and be affected ~ changes ol
public sentiment only in an lhuircc'
manner. One method proposed, al : u
is worthy of some consideration, is to oL
away with the office of President and
have the business of the nation conduct
ed by the heads Of the various depart
ment, they to be appointed by the two
Houses Of Congress in equal numbers
1 With this system the continued admins
trations OF party would depend upon it
retaining the control of Congress, for
with change in the political character OF
either house would follow n pal tlaI change
Of administration, while a change OF both
houses would be followed by an entire re-
organization of the administration. The
political contests would thus be trans


fcrred to the Congressional districts and
the State Legislatures.


Another plan suggested to us by a
friend who has given the subject some
thought, is to do away with the election
of q President and have the Sena-
tor longest in Office assume the position,
for one term only. In this manner the
President might not represent the polti-
cal feeling of the country at the time Of
his accession to the office, but he would be
pretty certain to bring to the Executive
chair a very thorough knowledge of the
condition and wants of the country, and
degree Of experience in craftsmanship
that would augur well for its good gov
ernments. Where thinking, patriotic
men see the dangers ahead and agree
that change is ess sential to the best in
terests of the country, it is the part OF
wisdom to sean carefully all the modes
: Of change presented, and be guided by
, that theory which shall seem to promise
best.