The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-15
BIRD S. COLER'S HOT SHOTS
Municipal Corruption and the PuDiic's
COndOning of the same.

Champaign. H., June 13.-Controler
Bird S. Coler, of New York, delivered
the principal address at the commence
ment of the Utate university today, ana
some of his statements created sen
sation. He said ms part:
1.-The great civic and political prob
lens of this country today were born of
the social conditions that exist in the
cities, and there the fight for more intel
ligence and higher standard of public
honesty must be fought and won. No
serious danger to American institutions
turks anywhere on the broad and fertile
prairies of Illinois, or the west, where
patriotism is universal and honesty the
inherent birthright of every citizen.
But in the great cities of the east
and west, with their teeming, strugg ing,
restless thousands, who tasting liberty
for the first time are prone TO mistake
it for the intoxicating license of unrea-
soning freedom, there are problems that
require for their just settlement the wis
dom and patience of the best citizenship.
Corruption in state and municipal
government has too long been accepted
in this country as a matter Of course.
There has been a growing tendency up
on men who were otherwise good citi-
zens to shirk public duties They want
ed to keep out of politics and public
life, but in keeping out they MADE room
in both places for men who ought to be
in jail.
The spirit of corrupt commercialism
has invaded politics and public life in
this country and in some of the larger
cities the invasion mas for a time over
run the government. BY the spirit Of
commerciausm in this connection mean
that public feeling, far too prevalent in
this country, that politics IS a business
and those engaged in il are entitled TO
make money out OF It.
The old system Of stealing from the
public treasury has passed away and the
safer and more printable plans Of bar
tering political influence for stock in cor
porations has succeeded.
Pad political government nay be toll
Grated for time. but corrupt politics
and corporate greed in combination car
for prompt measures for the protection
of the rights Of the people.
The rapid development OF the vast re-
sources Of this country has been in q
large measure due 10 legitimate comb!Ha-
zion Of capital and the man OF influence
who opposes corporations without reason
becomes a mere stumbling block in The
path OF progress
The time is coming. however when
the grant By a state government o.
cal powers and privileges vii carry
with Il the right TO inspect and regulate
the business created OF carried OF Under
that grant Thls cannot bs 4 hardship
upon legitimate business and Il IS nc
more than a proper extension OF the
power and duty or government
Put n iegisiatirg 70 correct abuses
and 20 better protect tas rights q the
people as a whole the creates. wizdcm
mus be exercised 70 prevent over-legi.-
lsuon- We are noz~ the most over-gov-
e-1ed Qe9rie on earth. ard ! fear that
much q The excess Is dse % TIA e.
forts q educated rzeE who mean zeI
but are rot practical VIVA. we want
less government. less po,i.lcs. mere hon
esty and more intslligsncs.
Paris. Jane u 9.so a. MA small fra
broke OF yesterday N the machinery
section e the yIzcennss annex of the
: exposition. burning the eoor between re
German aid Austrian exhibits % locorso-
Uses and c5r.. -1c discovery % harSIs