Evening journal., 1901-09-23
MONDAY. sEPTEMBER aa. 1901
A ORY on asToP rHNfi

A morning paper. published in the
interests Of AddiclJs, is very much iA-
terested in the reform movement now
in progress. or course. no one sns-
pected that it would endorse such a.
movement, or that it would even be
able to discover any disinterested mo-
tive on the part OF those who are Civ
ing their time TO the cause. 1t has
much TO say that is reasonable, and
much that is. undoubtedly true, but
most speclous arguments have such a
basis to give them plausibility. Many
of the evils from which we are now
suffering. are the result OF Democratic
misrule, and it may be that the cure
lies in the return to Republican con-
troll, but to assert that there is no
remedy save at the ballot-box, IS an
absurdity
An election is in the nature of the
verdict of a jury, but the supposition
is that there shall be submitted com
petent evidence TO warrant its conclu-
sions. II Will not do to cloud the is
sue; the purposes, motives and rea-
sons for this investigation are appar-
ent to all. And why inveigh against
it, II good government is the purpose?
How can It do any harm? It's mem-
bers are men representing all shades
OF public opinion not inimical to good
government; they stand unlmpeached
before the eyes Of the people. II is in
conceivable that they win perpetrate
a wrong on anybody. Suppose, as a
result OF their Investigation, they
should decide that there has been no
misconduct in Office, would that fact
not justify their existence, and be az
important thing to know? On the
other hand, suppose they discover in
contestable facts leading TO the con-
clusion that affairs generally have
been mismanaged, and that the treas
ury has been looted, is it not desirable
that our citizens should be informed
that they may govern their conduct al
the ballot-box? Will it cause any po-
litical damage, save what has been
earned? But, again, 1t may result in
putting blame upon certain officials
and in generating others; would not
this clear the situation. and allow the
people to govern their future conduct
by knowledge that is reasonably exact
The morning paper wants these thing
to be decided by the jury of publ,
opinion at the hallot-box. but it would
withhold from that jury some very
competent evidence, and have it act on
prejudice and presumption.
The people of free government
cannot be too well informed regarding
the conduct of their servants. and il
we measure the general sentiment cor
rectly, in this case they are determine,
20 get at the bottom of things. II +
shall be discovered that a Democrats
Levy Court is responsible for short
comings or worse things, or that
body nominally Republican, is con
tinuing the abuses, those facts will b
pertinent and important. Let us no
make a fetish of the ballot-box; be
cause it is the instrument by whic
We decide important questions Of gov
ernment, let us not be led into beliey
ing that al other means are preclude,
After all, questions are decided in tn
minds or the passions Of the peopl
and the ballot simply registers thei
decision. This committee cannot a
ford to do an injustice to anyone. an
the character OF its members seems I
preclude the possibility OF such a n
suit. This being true, no one ca
plausibly explain how it can do
wrong to anyone. Expressions
stop thief" are to be expected fro
those who fear. and have reason
fear. that their motives Will receive Il
light OF day.