The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1899-06-07
Mr.. HOWARD'S WARNING.

NIX. nOWHADS WhkNINO.
1t was an opportune note of warn
ing that Mr.. Howard gave in his
speech in this city on Decoration
Day, when he referred to the per-
nicious practices, apparently grow
ing holder daily. of men who. hold
public Office During his some
what extended public career Mr.
Howard has come into contact with
the facts which formed the basis of
a portion of his speech, and who
is there in any community, with any
knowledge of public life, but who
cannot recall or knows of some
petty or gross public otfense com
mitted at the public expense. Take
for instance, Mr.. Howard S charge
as to the petty offerings committed
in schools districts and township
Offices. Hardly a county in any
State butswhat can bring forth it's
quota of men who seem to regard
the school, township or county
treasury as place for looting. 1t
can be recalled, and not very many
years back either, wherein school
district clerk simply sold his sig
nature for s. in order to give a
chart agent an opportunity to
plumber his district to, the extent
of $40 or $50. How many more
cases like these there are over the
State can never be ascertained, but
these people, who hold public office,
and have petty plunderings of their
district, township or county in
view. are again referred to this
much of Mr.. Howard S speech.
What does it mean: The school fund
should be as sacred as anything on this
earth. Believing as we do, that an educa-
ton is the best gift We can leave our child
rem we willingly pay large sums for the sup
port of our schools. The man who would
trife with that fund is worse traitor to
this republic than any man who faced these.
our brothers. in the open field. The legis-
lator who would make his position thing
for trade or traffic is more deadly enemy
to our flag than the PHILIPPINE who turks in
ambush to shoot down one of our soldier
boys
Mr.. Howard then proceeds to
causes, and very appropriately sug-
gests that the miscarriages of JUS
tice in many cases, lead the evil
mind to more daring deeds, with
the firm belief that justice will mis-
carry again. He cleverly brought
out the fact that official Jurors will
have fellow feeling, and gave some
personal experience to corroborate
his views.
"One of these is the:failure of courts to deal
out even handed justice. The web of the
of1cial net seems cunningly adjusted to
catch the small fry while the sharks go I'M
punished. And we. the people, are to blame
for this. Any prosecuting attorney will tell
you that the hardest crime to convict is tor
embezzlement. once took part in trial of
school oficer accused of this offence On
the jury were at least five school oficers
The case was perfectly strong and clear
and the charge to the jury left them but
little else than to elect foreman and re.
turn verdict of guilty. Every mothers
son of those onlcers voted first. last and all
the time for acquittal and the fellow wen,
scot free
No officer or representative of the
people will ever be any better than
the people from whom he received
his certificate Of election. If the
people of any community neglect to
turn out at their primaries, or a,
their elections, and send up men
who will do the positions honor and