The Nome nugget., 1902-01-11
Officials in Service of United
 States Government.
THE RECORD IS GOOD
A Correspondent States That in No Country Have Government Affairs Been Carried On More Satisfac- torily Than in This Republic.

Nome, Alaska, Jan. 8. 1902. Editor NOME NUGGET: Your articles in the last issue of the paper regarding the statement of the School ROard' and "COrruption, Political and Official cannot but commend themselves to the minds of those who have the real progress of the district at heart, and also to these who desire to see honor reflected upon the government in the administration of it's affairs in parts remote from the center of it's influence. have little sympathy with those who are ever making the broad statement that all politicians and all government officials are corrupt, for the fact is that in no country, ancient or modern, have such large governmental affairs been carried on more satisfactorily to the best interests of the people than the United States. Yet, since the days of reconstruction in the South, we cannot but admit that however we'll the gov ernment may plan to carry out it's ends in an honest and fair manner it's efforts have often been unavailing, and always on account of the selfish and rapacious dispositions of those whom it trusted for the time being with the admins tration of it's affairs. We may well ask, Why is this, and what is the remedy? We all know and feel that so far as the government at Washing ton is concerned it wants nothing and aims at nothing but capable and honest discharge of duties. The answer Is that the government itself should exercise greater supervision over those whom iL appoints to deal between itself and the people. Every citizen has an interest in whomsoever the government appoints to represent it in any capacity, either within or without the confines of the nation, for the req son that any citizen may come in con tact with such officials in affairs that concern himself. and for the further reason that every citizen has an in- terest in the honor of the flag.
 There is no question but the present system of allotment of government ap- pointmenls to be doled out amongst the several states, and practically con trolled by local politics in those states, is much to blame, for the reason that in local politics the most useful man at the polls has, as a rule, the greatest influence with the powers that be, so far as the district within which he lives is concerned. And always in this field of politics success at the polls is paramount to all else. This question is always important, but never so much so as at the present time, when new era is dawnng upon the country and the government is obliged to put its affairs in the hands of men far removed from the seat of government.
 The Carpet Bag era in the South continues to this day to haunt the post war administrations wiLh shame, and already matters of the same character are beginning to come in from the new possessions and also from our frozen north. The government at Washing ton is doing it's best with the present. conditions to administer good govern ment throughout the length and breadth of the land and wheresOever the influence of the flag is felt. What l ;t T hn, sct { ha tion of all good citizens 10 stamp out the grafter-Ot1icial, great and small. It. is the duty of all good citizens to do this, and the most efficient means tO that end is the press. It is a scandal to the fair name of our government in this far off north that the moment it's agencies are placed in the care of those I who hold them in trust for the people the same instant, against all principles of law and decency, they commence to .dealwi themselves in the matter of whatsoever position they hold. I do not intend that this is to be applied to military affairs or military officials, or the higher judiciary, leaving out the first attempt to plant the latter amongst us. The army in this district is a shining example of adherance to Iduty though far from home. There is no question but the gratter official is endeavOring to attach himself to the soil of this territory; nno one who has any considerable experience here can deny this. But he cannot ren,ain in defiance of the people, f.they really desire honest government.
 F. Mo. | DOn't fail in Opt a tina furxav fOt,