548 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
in city elections. Chicago's experience amply reinforces the contention of advocates for a nonpartisan ballot, as outlined in the " Municipal Program." Partisanship must be eliminated from our laws, even if we cannot altogether eliminate it from our political considerations.
So much has been said concerning the hopeful tendencies and the various setbacks of the past year that but little space is left for a recital of the victories of the year. Some have already been incidentally referred to in other connections ; of the remain- der a few will be touched upon simply by way of illustration and to encourage those who are striving to bring about a better con- dition of affairs.
In June last Portland, Ore., held a most interesting election. Oregon cast a large Republican vote. Indeed, the sentiment in this direction was reported to be greater than ever before. Yet, in face of this, Portland elected nearly its entire citizens' ticket, on the platform " Hands off city affairs." All the independent state senators and at least ten of the twelve representatives were chosen, notwithstanding the strength of the Republican organi- zation and the running of the political tide in its favor. So vigorously has the sentiment grown that the county and city offices are matter of business and not of politics, and should be freed from constant legislative trickery, that the people have served notice that there must be an end to machine interference. The significance of the victory lies in that the candidates who were not interested in local affairs received a tremendous Repub- lican majority, while politicians whom the people knew were interested adversely to them, or who had worked for the political control of city departments, were soundly beaten.
The election of Washington Gladden as an alderman in Colum- bus, O., is an event of national significance. That so competent and so well-informed a man could be elected speaks much for the district he represents and for his influence in it. That one so busy should accept the onerous burdens attached to alder- manic duties is an example the force of which should not be lost upon those men who advocate good government, but refuse to make sacrifices for it. As a leading paper in commenting on-
