TAMMANYISM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume C, Issue 11623, 5 July 1898, Page 6

TAMMANYISM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your sub-leader this morning, you say that Mr Miller, speaking on the NoConfidence motion, showed that the cry of “Tammanyism” which has been raised by Conervative writers and speakers is a term that can be applied in this country only to the methods of certain members of their own party, and that it would hardly require the special instances quoted to satisfy the electors of this part of the colony that almost every one of the discreditable tactics associated with' the term have been employed by the friends of the present Opposition. That the present Opposition would be guilty of the discreditable tactics referred to if they got the chance, I am ready to admit; but that the term can only be applied to them, and that the present Administration is free in this respect, I do not for one moment believe. Take appointments to the Civil Service, for example. It is provided that applicants for positions in the service must’first pass the Civil Service examinations, and the youths of the colony are therefore encouraged to qualify themselves by these means. Yet we find that many of these boys are passed over in favour of others who have never qualified, but who possessed the necessary political- influence. Two cases of this description have recently come , under my notice. And Tt is even broadly hinted that some of the members of Parliament who degrade their office by such work, are actually ready to accept something more tangible for their services than the usual hearty thanks and promises of continued support. Whether this is true or not, the fact remains that the “ spoil to the victors ” system, or Tammanyism,” is rampant in this country, and in fact seems inseparable from our present system of party government. Every day seems to furnish more proof of the desirability of giving the Elective Executive principle a trial.—l am, etc.,

ELECTOR. (Onr correspondentappearsto be undersome misapprehension as to the nature of . “ Tammanyism.” It does not consist merely in distributing the spoils to the victors,” but mainly in bribing and terrorising the electors by whom victory may be obtained. There can surely be no question as to which has been the greater sinner of the two political parties in the latter respect.—Ed. LJT.)