433. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL FOR PARTY ABUSES.—Nothing could be more mistaken than the belief that defective government is due primarily to the existence of an entity known as the political party. The party is merely an association of individuals, and if it is corrupt it is so because of the corruption of the individuals comprising it. It is time that political pessimists stopped blaming the party for the defects of party government, and time they began to see that the indifference and shortsightedness of the individual voter is at the bottom of the trouble. One of the greatest sources of corruption in American life is the knowledge of political bosses that many of their adherents will follow the party standard regardless of its platform and no matter what the character of its candidates. The party boss is given an opening when individuals neglect to perform their civic duties. The failure to vote, or to serve in office when the opportunity offers, the failure either to protest against candidates chosen unfairly, or to demand an accounting of officeholders, spell corruption and inefficiency in government.
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
1. Define a political party. Why have parties arisen?
2. Trace briefly the development of parties in the United States.
3. Outline the organization of a political party.
4. Explain clearly the three great benefits of party organization.
5. What is the basic defect of party government?
6. What can be said as to contributions to the campaign fund of political parties?
7. Name some methods whereby the party boss may dominate nominations and elections. Outline some laws designed to safeguard nominations and elections.
8. What is the spoils system and when did it arise?