Carl Schurz

“ These are casual illustrations of the dislike very generally entertained by the so-called working party politicians for men eminent by character and ability and of signal fitness for the discharge of the real duties of high office. ”

“ In the Republican caucus of the New York Legislature George Washington would, in the contest for the Senatorship, have been laughed at as a competitor of Thomas C. Platt; as he would, while the Legislature was controlled by the Democratic machine, have been an absolutely hopeless candidate as against David B. Hill or Edward Murphy. And in the city of New York it would require a successful revolt against both regular organizations to make George Washington Mayor. ”

“ This dislike springs from the apprehension that such men, with their conceptions of public duty, will be likely to act for the public interest upon motives with which the interests of the party have but little if anything at all to do — in other words, that being earnestly intent upon taking care of the public good, they will not make it their first business to “take care of the organization.” And to take care of the organization means mainly to distribute offices among its members. ”

“ In fact, party organization in its recent development tends in the same direction almost all over the country. It is true, men of the first order of character and ability still get into high places now and then. But this is in most cases owing to one of four circumstances: either some man in authority is large-minded and courageous enough to appoint them to important positions, notwithstanding the displeasure of the party machine; or there is a public sentiment strong enough to force their nomination and election over the head of the regular organizations ”