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Show I - ' v POLITICS A BUSINESS. Politics is only a kind of business; it is of supreme importance, but should always be treated like other business, with the same rectitude and the same simplicity of means. Such has always been the motto of President Grevy, and in this motto there is a world of good sense and political Bagacity. Yes, politics is only a kind of business, important before all others, but a business still. Its importance comes from the fact that it is the public business busi-ness of the whole people ; that business which is necessary in all society and without which civilization would soon sink into barbarism. Upon the good management of the public business depends de-pends the prosperity of private and individual indi-vidual business. The motto of M. Grevy embodies the whole theory of civil-service reform, for that theory merely teaches and insists that the public business busi-ness of the Government shall be conducted con-ducted upon the strictest business prin ciples. It is not askmg much, but this just and reasonable demand is assailed as though it were an overture for treason. " Politics ha3 been more than a business in this country; it has been a profession whose fundamental doctrine has been that to the victors belong the spoils, and to get the spoils has been the chief busi-: ness. This business has not been treated with the same rectctude and simplicity that it deserved ; in fact, whenever any reformer of anj' party has undertaken to introduce into the business of the Government Gov-ernment the rectitude and simplicity which are among the first requirements in private enterprises, such reformers have been cried down as men desiring the overthrow of republican institutions and the introduction of the ways and ideas of monarchies. Politics is the adjustment ad-justment and control of the common affairs of the people associated together for the purposes of protection and so ciety, and that these affairs shall be adjusted ad-justed and controlled with rectitude and simplicity should be the ardent desire of every citizen. |
