The St. Louis Republic., 1902-03-17

or at most a corporations: but the br.be-
taker. representing the people. violates his
oath of office. and Is. therefore. not only 4
thief. but perjurer hope that while TO
bribe-giver will escape receiving either the
due sentence of law or, II that cannot be
because he turns States evidence. the COZ
tumely and disgrace which public opinion
can infiict. degrading him from every posi-
tion OF public trust and sympathy. tha
bribe-taker will not escape the sentence Cf
just law. 1t Is imperative that these men be
punished.
Il take this opportunity to congratulate
the April and February grand juries upon
the splendid service they have rendered the
city. and the honest administration OF law
everywhere. 1t Is surely no coveted task to
be put In the position they have 50 nobly
and unselfshly filled. They have earned. and
do receive. the gratitude OF every lover Of
law and good government. For years have
been convinced OF the corrupt methods cf
many Of our city legislators. And in a series
Of lectures a few years ago I voiced this
conviction concerning the House of Dele
gates. only to be met by letters from prom
inent members at that time Of the Council
that i was misled and deceived, assuring
the public that I did not know what I
was talking about. I have those letters
signed by prominent political leaders. in
my scrapbook. and they read Queerly in
the light Of recent revelations. Surely no
party can AFFORD to make itself a refuge
for scoundrels. however great their seeming
political strength.
II congratulate also the whole city In
possessing in the ONCE Of Circuit Attorney
an incorruptible man. There are no more
pulls in that important office: a marvellous
change from former years
There are these three classes of bood-
lers to be reckoned with All that money
can do. all that the best legal talent can
avail. all that the dexterity and manipula-
ton of politicians. that are past masters
in the art Of fixing juries can achieve
will be brought into this great battle OF
The People vs. the Piunderers.' The pres.
ent duty OF every right-mlnded citizen fs
plain: To voice his abhorrence of this
crime of boodling. to rouse his fellow-cit-
liens from Indifference and apathy: TO
cheerfully serve on all juries to which he
may be subpoened. and to support any
Citizens Committee that may be organized
to give moral and financial support to the
administrators OF law.
Would Abolish House.
After the trial and conviction Of tbs
guilty boodlers. one great act will still CON-
front our citizens. and pray God that they
may assume and execute this trust and
that is. the abolition Of the House of Del,
egates. In municipal government It Is like
q nth wheel to a coach. II is of no nos
sible use: but the fruitful source of our
municipal ills. II Is an obstacle, ave. n
peril. to honest city government. It ought
to be dealt with precisely as we dealt with
the old School Board-abolished.
Let 4 dozen of our best lawyers frame
. new bill on this matter as they did con.
cerninG the old School Board Let a man
from each ward be elected by the CITY a,
large to form the one Municipal Assembly.
Pay these men q good salary. 800 a year.
Then. with an upright Mayor the days
OF boodling are At an end. Business meth
DDS Will take the place Of political Tho