November 11, 1897
The Revolt Against Bossism
“This year the bosses threw off all disguise. They declared that bossism is the ideal perfection of government in a democracy. [Mark] Hanna summed up their creed in these orders to his subjects a few days before the election:
‘Every Republican should remember his duty. It doesn’t make any difference about persons, or if the candidate don’t suit you exactly. The Republican organization must have the same discipline as we had in the regular army, when the boys in blue marched with their gallant leaders. As Chairman of the Republican national committee, I have the right to command, and you must stand by me in the dual position I now occupy. It doesn’t matter whether you like my personality or not. I have no patience with the man who bolts his party because he is not satisfied with the candidate. If you expect business men to take part in politics and come among you, it is your duty to submit to the discipline of the party.’
It is well for the country that bossism has thus been carried to its logical conclusion. The great thing is to have the Quays and Hannas and Gormans and Platts come out into the open, where the people can get at them.”