Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-11
THREE DIsGRACES.

This country is just now witnessing
three OF the most disgraceful events of
the nineteenth century.
First is the Clark Senatorial scandal.
Then comes the Kentucky middle. and
lastly. but by no means lcastly, is the
Oberlin Carter steal from the United
States Governments to say nothing at
this time of the loot of the United
States Treasury by Chicago Gage.
The election of Senator Clark as
United States Senator from Montana is
undoubtedly the mosi. barefuced out
rage ever committed in the name of the
law and government a Legislature
seems to have been openly and de-
family debauched with the money Of Il
millionaire, while his licutenants, so low
in common honesty and deccncy as not
to know what truth and right mean.
actually swore to falsehoods. and then
acknowledged to the Senate Committee
that they saw no harm In SO doing.
People are Very low in crime when
they reach the level OF these legisla-
tors and politicians. 1t promises no
good to IL government controlled by
such people. 1t means worse TO the
National government that such men as
Clark should be recognized as q gem
tleman and Senator. Yet 1t looks us If
Clark would sit beside the best men in
the Senate.
Tho roin11In m
good for either the Democratic or Re-
publican parties. 1t must be a shame
full condition that brings forth fruit like
the present dlsgraceful "scunlc" be-
tween the administration and judicial
departments, to say nothing of the
Legislative department..
When the highest officer In the State
defies the Civil authority, much less
recognizing it, what may be expected of
irresponsible men, ready and willing to
murder or commit violence. II the Gov
ernor of the State surrounds himself
with soldiers, as guarantee of his
personal ends, Will not private citizens
follow his example in privately pro-
tecting themselves against the Courts?
But the greatest disgrace is the Car
ter steal. CAPTAIN Oberlin NJ. Carter,
an officer standing high in the army,
educated at the governments expense,
and selected to fill responsible posi-
ton. entered into collision with ras-
cally disposed contractors and robbed
the government OF hundreds OF thous-
ands of dollars.
He was tried by officers of the army
gentlemen Of education and standing.
and men whose s.lis 5. thy leaned
toHa. Is Carter. He was found guilty
and sentenced to be punished; but he
Is still a free man.
There have been delays and cleinency
shown that suggest Il contrivance on
the part of the government official not
in keeping with expedition, impaytlality
and an earnest desire TO punish crime,
discovered in high places. Carter
should now be suffering his punish
ment. In addition to that. all effort
should be made to recover back some
of the money fraudulcnuy obtained
Although in different ways. yet the
three instances above designated point
to most unfortunate conditions. No
country can prosper without a govern
ment enjoying the confidence of IT'S
people. Indeed, it cannot stand No
government can command confidence
that has u record in It's three depart
ments like that above shown In Ken.
In Montana 1t is the Legislative: but in
the Garter case 1t is the United States
administration. which of course. in
wolves the President. BE 1t said to It's
credit, the judicial branch has done its
duty.