People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1900-08-23
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION.
Charges Against County Attorney J. N.
Ready.

N~eets
The last Republican county conven-
ton was peculiar. The great majority
Of the members of that party, like the
members of other parties, are honest.
And yet, D. A. Espy was turned down
because he was an honest and faithful
official, and j. NJ. Ready was renomi-
mated because he was dishonest and cor
rupt. However it is fair to the party to
say that these things were accomplished
by dishonesty and trickery on the part
of certain bosses, who had worked il up
carefully, and the rank and file OF the
party was not to blame. We are not in
terested in the quarrels Of the Republi-
cans, but we are interested in good gov
eminent.
1t is the province Of newspaper to
give the news, and the editor ought to be
anxious to give credit to any deserving
official, and it is a pleasure to do so.
And it is just as much the duty of the
newspaper to tell its readers of the
treachery or dishonesty Of any man
who is paid servant Of the people, as it
is to praise the proper conduct Of the up
right and deserving, and in fact, more
so, because if good man fails in re.
election, he may be succeeded by another
good man. But the reelection of cor
rupt official is a public calamity. And
believing it to be our duty to protect the
public and warn Of corruption in high
places; yet knowing that it means the
expense and annoyance of public trial;
having confidence in the good sense OF
the voters at the polls and Of the citizens
in the jury box, we proceed reluctantly
to our duty.
We do not believe in waiting till the
eve OF the election, when there is no
time to disprove charges or correct false
impressions. As for the other person.
OH the ticket who forced Ready's nomi
nation and are apologizing for him now
we leave them to the wrath of their OWL
party which they will surely feel at the
polls. Our business now is with the coun
ty attorney alone.
]. NJ. Ready, county attorney Of this
county, has furnished the county dis
reputable and disgraceful management
of its affairs, and has wilfully and with
generalization, violated and outraged hi.
oath of Office and trampled under foot
the constitution and statutes Of this state.
1t is true that others have winked at the
violation Of certain laws, but no otHel
has ever openly assisted and encouraged
open and notorious lawbreaking. For
tunately we are advised of Mr.. Ready:
campaign plans. His misdeeds have
been told by press and private citizen:
and Numbered from nearly every pulpit
in the county, until his managers and
pals have said to him, that he must dc
something to refute these charges. As q
result several plans were discussed but
no definite plan fixed upon, al
though it will probably be one Of the
following:
Some joints are to be pulled and a
great blow and fuss made about it. Then
as soon as the September jury has gone
home the editor Of this or some Other
paper is to be arrested for libel and
strong statements are to be made as to
what will be done with us when the jury
comes in in January. And when the
election is over and Mr.. Ready is tri.
umphantly elected the case will be dis.