Evening journal., 1896-11-16

of the pure and patriotic man is the
highest privilege of American citizen
ship; because it clothes him with power
to say what shall be the policy of the
government, and who shall carry that
policy into execution. IL makes him a
responsible factor in building up and
preserving just government for all the
people. Bartering in votes, either by
buying or selling. is the most degrad
ing vice of freeman, involving as it
does, the sale of his manhood. We
cannot too strongly condemn this vice,
nor too vigorously prosecute and pun
ish the men who are engaged in this
nefarious business. We have dwelt
thus long on this phase Of corruption,
because the corruption of the voter and
the venal vote are the beginning of po-
litical pollution.
Every other phase Of corruption at
our elections should receive your un-
qualified censure.
1t is the sworn duty Of election Off
GERS to see that every man fairly en-
titled to vote has the opportunity to
cast his ballot, and further to see that
such vote is fairly counted and duly
returned so that the peoples will may
tion officers are the servants of the
people, sworn to do right, not wrong;
to execute not to subvert the laws; to
see that the will Of the people is exc
cuted, not defeated II they do other
wise, they have violated their oaths
and betrayed their trust.
Political corruption has grown so
rapidly Of late that many men, appar-
In, oil rfh 1nt f.f
life, seem to make politics an excep-
ton. and hesitate not to use trickery,
deceit and fraud to win an election.
They openly justify, resort to such
methods, on the ground that the end
justifies the means. Such debauchery
OF the ballot seriously threatens our ex-
istence as a free people, and may well
alarm every thoughtful citizen.
Public sentiment is justly and thor
oughly aroused. Good men of every
political faith have expressed the de-
termined purpose to stamp out pOliti-
cal corruption wherever found, and to
purify. so far as may be, our political
methods. A rigid enforcement of the
law will secure this end. The defect is
not in the law, but in that It is executed
by bad men.
veal, coming from all parts of the
county it is fair to presume that you
know something OF the charges referred
to, OF the existing evils and what is
needed to remedy them. II corrupt
violations of the law governing elec-
tions have come to the knowledge OF
any one OF you, it is the duty of such
one to lay the fact before the attorney
general and before your fellow-jurors
to the end that the guilty may be pun
ished and society protected.
We are informed by the attorney
general that indictments for violations
OF the election laws viii be framed anl
placed before you for your action. W.
earnestly urge that you give thes'
Il cases full, impartial and prompt at
tention. We know of no crime that s
imperatively demands suppression. Tn
court will render you every assistanc
in bringing such offenders to speed
trial and to condign punishment.
Gentlemen, the people whom yo
represent in this. their court Of justice
expect you in this matter TO do you
whole duty, without fear or favor, hay
ing regard only for that which is righi
FLINN INDUCTED INTO OFFICE.
The crier commanded all to keep 81
lent. under penalty Of fine and i'm
prisonment, while the commission q
William r. Finn, OF Christiana hun
dred was being read. Philip {
Churchman appeared for Sheriff Film
The sheriff will bond next Monday Il
Superior Court. that being the first sit
ting OF the November term.
WHERE'S THE STATES ATTOR
NEY?
The office OF attorney general is Ger
tainly an unenviable one on the open
ting days OF court There are abou
two witnesses on the average for eac
OF the eighty cases to be tried, and a.
these witnesses are anxious to &c
away both before and after the case
are brought up. All around the couI
room and upper corridor this mornin
there we're fidgety persons inquiring:
Where's the states Attorney"
These questioners had to be attende
to courteously by the attorneys genera
and his deputy, who were already ovei
crowded with work.
KEEPING OUT ALL BUT WIT
NESSES.
Doorkeeper Brinton guarded a bs
across the main entrance to the coul
room this morning, which he onl
I lifteI to allow witnesses with badg,
, from the sheriff to enter and occup
I the chairs. After all the witnesses wei
4 comfortably seated, then the bar We
, removed and all the liquor license al
! plicants were admitted. After that II