Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
September 23, 1916
Chicago Eagle
Chicago, Cook County County, Illinois
What is this article about?
Editorial denounces the arrogance and corruption of Chicago's public officials, who form an 'Office Holding Aristocracy' and treat voters as disposable after elections, quoting Herbert Kaufman's critique of their insolence and predicting voter backlash.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE PEOPLE ARE SLAVES
Unspeakable Insolence of Office Holding Gang in Chicago Arouses the Public.
The overbearing insolence of some of the Office holders in the City Hall and County Building calls attention to the fact that an Office Holding Aristocracy is rapidly growing into permanent control of our public affairs.
Among our officials there are some honorable exceptions--some men who feel that they are in office to serve the people.
But there are others--and their number is increasing-who imagine that the only thing the average citizen is good for is to vote.
Party allegiance is forgotten when they are sworn in and- the jobs go to relatives, regardless of party or fitness.
The Office Holding Aristocracy has no use for the voter after he has used him.
Herbert Kaufman paid his respects to these fellows when he called attention to their treatment of the public in these words:
"You consider yourself an important person because your position occasionally permits you to annoy people, But so can a gnat, a rusty hinge, a rattling window and other minor bothers.
"Impudence is a Smart-aleck's conception of impressiveness-a back stairs notion of 'his folks'' behavior
An upstart betrays himself by the manner he displays his authority
"Those who aren't accustomed to the use of power invariably abuse it.
"Insolence is the snarl of the insignificant-'big head' evidence of a small one.
"You merely show up when you show off. We all know just about what your job pays and therefore how much intelligence it demands--so why bluff?
"Office boys, bell hops and cash girls may possibly mistake your impertinence as. a manifestation of superiority, but the public recognizes the ass in the ill fitting lion's skin.
"Headquarters always hears the creak in the machine and soon locates the source of the trouble."
The voters of Chicago may be fools some of the time; they may be so supine part of the time that these Public Office Aristocrats look upon them as serfs.
But the voters of Chicago are not going to be fools all of the time.
And when they wake up, some of these swell heads will hear from them.
Unspeakable Insolence of Office Holding Gang in Chicago Arouses the Public.
The overbearing insolence of some of the Office holders in the City Hall and County Building calls attention to the fact that an Office Holding Aristocracy is rapidly growing into permanent control of our public affairs.
Among our officials there are some honorable exceptions--some men who feel that they are in office to serve the people.
But there are others--and their number is increasing-who imagine that the only thing the average citizen is good for is to vote.
Party allegiance is forgotten when they are sworn in and- the jobs go to relatives, regardless of party or fitness.
The Office Holding Aristocracy has no use for the voter after he has used him.
Herbert Kaufman paid his respects to these fellows when he called attention to their treatment of the public in these words:
"You consider yourself an important person because your position occasionally permits you to annoy people, But so can a gnat, a rusty hinge, a rattling window and other minor bothers.
"Impudence is a Smart-aleck's conception of impressiveness-a back stairs notion of 'his folks'' behavior
An upstart betrays himself by the manner he displays his authority
"Those who aren't accustomed to the use of power invariably abuse it.
"Insolence is the snarl of the insignificant-'big head' evidence of a small one.
"You merely show up when you show off. We all know just about what your job pays and therefore how much intelligence it demands--so why bluff?
"Office boys, bell hops and cash girls may possibly mistake your impertinence as. a manifestation of superiority, but the public recognizes the ass in the ill fitting lion's skin.
"Headquarters always hears the creak in the machine and soon locates the source of the trouble."
The voters of Chicago may be fools some of the time; they may be so supine part of the time that these Public Office Aristocrats look upon them as serfs.
But the voters of Chicago are not going to be fools all of the time.
And when they wake up, some of these swell heads will hear from them.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Chicago Office Holders
Political Aristocracy
Voter Exploitation
Official Insolence
Public Service Corruption
What entities or persons were involved?
Office Holding Aristocracy
Herbert Kaufman
Chicago Voters
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Insolence Of Chicago Office Holders
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical
Key Figures
Office Holding Aristocracy
Herbert Kaufman
Chicago Voters
Key Arguments
Overbearing Insolence Of Office Holders In City Hall And County Building Indicates Growing Office Holding Aristocracy Controlling Public Affairs
Some Officials Serve The People, But Increasing Number View Citizens Only As Voters
Party Allegiance Forgotten After Swearing In, Jobs Given To Relatives Regardless Of Party Or Fitness
Office Holding Aristocracy Discards Voters After Using Them
Quotation From Herbert Kaufman Criticizing Officials' Impudence And Abuse Of Power
Voters Of Chicago May Be Fooled Sometimes But Will Wake Up And Hold Arrogant Officials Accountable