Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-12-20

security for their appearance. and as
often us the offence was committed.
WHAT AGENCIES MAY DE HAD.
In addition 10 the central and local
boards and working under their direction
they should employ detectives to investi-
gate and discover tho secret schemes
and work of the criminals whenever
there was reason to believe they were
working in the dark.
now FUNDS CAN DE USED.
II patriotism is not dead there would
be no trouble in raising by voluntary
contribution all the money that would
be needed for this purpose. We have
heard more than one say that although
he would not give Il dollarto buy votes
he would give ten to punish the buyer.
And if oue-tenth tho money spent by
either party during the last campaign
had been honestly aud judiclaliy spent
in detecting and Furnishing those en-
gagged in these corrupt practices they
would not have disgracod our State.
But as the aim and end is the public
good, involving the honor, reputation
and welfare Of the State, and every
citizen thereof, the expenses should be
HllAl NNb VI lhN lupAlk pNANNAJs ny
amount required in 10 event would be
large. The truth is that as soon as it
shall be fully understood that there is u
body Of resolutG citizens banded together
to strike down this crime, by the con
viction and punishment OF those en-
gagged in the nefnrious practice, that
moment the work is more than
half accomplished. Guilt is al
ways cowardly and sllulking, when
confronted by law and u deter
| mined resolution to enforce ii, and just
so soon as 1t becomes known that their
evil deeds are 10 be exposed and them
selves brought face TO face with the
magistry of tho offended law, that
moment will they abandon the practice.
II exists by tolerance only, and it is u
| burning shame that it has been tolerated
so long.
In addition to such an organization as
VIC have Just mentioned, and the line Of
| operation We have pointed out, the in
tluencc of the pulpit and the press
should be invoked and no doubt would
be cheerfully given. lu fact, there are
| already manifestations of tho interest
both take in the subject; and, so far as
they have spoken it has been on the
right side. Of course VIC could expect
nothing less; but if we had the organi-
2ation, we could make u more general,
as well as special and personal appeal,
and enlist more general and special sup
port and active aid.
There are other societies also whose
| good offices would not be sought in vain.
We can, without doubt, rely upon tho
active aid MS well as the moral influence
of every alliance, grange and farmers
institute in the State. The State Grange
has already moved in the matter, and
the others will soon follow.
And not only should we call to oul
assistance organized societies, but as in
dividual citizens we should denouncc
the crime and the criminals whenever
and wherever we have opportunity; and
thus make both it and them odious and
cxecrable in tho sight of all decent and
self respecting people. They should be
disciplined by the church, ostracized by
society, and avoided as iepers in public
places.
| Were this plan and manner of carry
ing 1t out put In operation, We believe
vote buying would be u thing of the
past, and we should never more bt
numblcd and disgraced by the vlc
practice.
In what has been said SO far we have
not spoken of any additional legislation
Our omission to do so was not because
we overlooked it or were insensible d
its value; but because we desire to speal
of that in separate article. To treat i
properly and intelligently requires more
space than can now be given it. While
we are fully persuaded that even unde
our present law against corrupt prac
tees, the evil might be suppressed; We
we are not at all insensible to the veal
points of the present laws, and are quit
sure that it can be amended or replaced
by much more efficient statute. A bill
can be drawn that if not self-ezecutinj
may be so clear in its definitions and 81
comprehensive in its scope and execution
as to render it dangerous to trlflc witt
its provisions.
]. ALEXANDER FULTON,
DOVER, Dec. Is, 1894.