p. 5 | L. A. S by L. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · May 19, 1904

L. A. S

By L. A. S.

IN a recent article contributed to The Independent, giving “An Outsider’s Experience in Politics,” Mr. Eltweed Pomeroy summarizes the methods of “machine” politics for defeating justice, thus:—

“What are the means used by the bosses? Five. First, corrupted judges at the primaries and bulldozing tactics there. Second, a browbeating comity and delegation chairman, with his attendant thugs. Third, a properly managed Credentials Committee, with the proper arrangements made beforehand, so that there will be contests, and the contests decided their way. Fourth, a tactful chairman, who will have fine presence, be a hypocrite and pretend to fairness, but never recognize any but machine men. And, fifth, the presence of the boss, with his ever-ready check-book and his fine knowledge of men to know what he must do to win his way with them.”

“I have repeatedly read wise editorial exhortations,” Mr. Pomeroy says, “declaring that if only the average man would attend primaries and conventions, all the evils of the body politic would be remedied. On April 6 last, I attended a primary for the first time in my life, and on April 14 I attended my first Democratic convention. My time and effort were misspent, and I felt that the only value it had for me was an experience as to what not to do. I will not go again unless I join some organization to raise a row about the way it is being conducted. It is utterly useless for the average man to attend a primary or convention, unless my experiences are exceptional and not the rule.”

Mr. Pomeroy is, as he states, “only an average business man, living in a nice and quiet neighborhood in East Orange, N. J., a suburb which prides itself as being one of the last places where there could be any political corruption.”

These statements and others that we might quote from Mr. Pomeroy’s article may profitably be pondered by those Christians who argue that it is a wise thing to dismiss the prayer-meeting to attend the primary, and who are ever preaching moral reform by the ballot. The saints are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth, not by trying to outvote the sinners, by whom they are largely outnumbered, but by the use of those more powerful spiritual weapons of warfare which God provides in a sphere of activity which sinners, while they remain such, can not enter. The mightiest weapon in the world today, whether of offense or defense, is the Word of God.