Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-07
A GOVERNOR ON POLITICAL COR
RUPTI0N.

The Governor of the State of Kentucky,
in his recent message to the Legislature OF
that State, struck the keynote of move
ment that must sometime begin against
political corruption and venality, if Ameri-
can institutions are to be preserved. The
stability of the Republic, he points out,
resides in the exercise of the right of suf-
frage by its citizens, uninfuenced by in
timidation or corruption. But it is notori-
Gus in Kentucky, as in California, that
money and other eorrupting influences are
| used to control and defeat the will of the
sovereign. The Governor has the fearless
ness to say in his arraignment of bossism:
Not only are corrupt practices employed in
the choice of candidates for political and muni-
eipal Offices, but it seems certain that judicial
elections are conducted with equal disregard of
law; aud when it is considered that there is but
one step between the purchase of judicial posi-
ton and the sale of justice, the people may well
despair of the proper administration of the laws
under so vicious a system OF election as is SO
often proposed.
1t is not necessary to follow him to the
conclusion he reaches regarding the newt
able, unless this tampering with the cleo
toral right is checked. The laws that are
intended to put an end to and prevent the
corruption of the voter, are dead letters
here, as in Kentucky; and they will re-
main so, until the people arouse from their
lethargy and make new declaration of
political independence. As a primal essen
| tial, bossism must be made odious; if not.
republican institutions will fail. The ex-
ercise of the sovereign right is one that
| cannot be delegated, or abridged, without
enslavement. 1t is the political birthright
that, whatever else is debased, must be
rescued from the touch of corruption.
The Governor of Kentucky appeals to the
Legislature to apply the laws against
bribery at elections under the statutes to
primary elections by political parties also,
as is done in some other States. But
while this is well enough, ii will not bring
about the end he desires. 1t will render
the corruptionists more cunning, but will
not stay their hands or put an end to their
practices Indeed he confesses as MUCH
when he says:
Attempts have been made by your prede-
cessors 10 check the evils attending the employ
ment of money in controlling elections; but it
| is 10 be regretted that, notwithstanding exist
! ing legislation on this subject. the evil has
already attained magnitude which seriously
endangers the interests of society.
There is method that may be en-
ployed, however, for which they entertain
a wholesome fear, and do not under-esti-
mate. 1t consists in systematic organiza-
! ton to defeat them with ballots. There
is no other weaponry so effective against
them. The moral sense of the people,
when quickened to the right degree Of
heat, will bring on the reforms which
the Governor of Kentucky beseeches the
Legislature to inaugurate. The passage of
laws by legislative bodies will not make
men honest, or hallot-box corruptionists
fearful. Until the people, now negligent,