Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-09-18

atone for dishonesty. Relegate to the
rear those who seek once for the OPP
portunity for plumber that Office gives.
The official who uses his public func-
lions for personal ends. violates to that
extent the trust repOsed In him. He
who prostitutes his office for selfish
purposes, will. II opportunity offers,
prostitute II for his " gain. We
need In legislative halls more aggres-
sive honesty, more men who know
their duty and dare TO do II. The path
way Of the legislator IL beset with So
ductive dangers, and he must be
'steeled and armoured" with a strong
mind n true conscience to come
through clean. n he have any vcnali-
~ In his nature, the various stages Of
corruption will follow in natural So
quence. First, the acceptance of a rail-
road pass; then some seemingly inno-
cent gift not directly connected with
legislation, then a gratuity indirectly
on account OF official action; then a re-
ward for something officially done, not
in pursuance of an agreement how
ever; then a scared conscience and
dulled moral vision and the sale OF his
official vote TO the highest bidder.
Legislators should learn the power
they possess. their right 80 vote and
their influences with their fellows, be-
long not to them. but to their own con
stituents, and that they are hcld as a
sacred trust to he administered for the
public good. They should be held in
strict accountability as TO the manner
in which the trust IS executed. They
must be Judged by what they do, not
b. what they say.
If a mans private character is bad, IT
will show itself sooner or later in pub
he life. The guiding star Of n public
and private life must be principle. Ono
WHO would truckle to undesirable elc-
mcnts to secure Office Is not likely to be
of much benefit to the public when he
gets in. There is more honor in hon
est private life thar In high Official po-
si,ion gained by the sacrifice Of prin-
ciple. what doth it profit IL man to
gain the whole world and lose his own
soul" was asked by the man Of CALI
lee. The soul Of a state IS its honor,
AID the question might well be asked
when the honor of "A state is gone,
What Is left?
To argue that Official corruption Is
not worthy of serious consideration Le-
cause no money has been stolen from
the treasury, Is as senseless as to tell
Il man whose daughter has been as
sanlted. that he should not complain
because his silvcrware is yet safe. Tho
corrupt legislator traiiics in the honor
Of a sovereign people. There are things,
the value of which can not be measured
in money. No one can calculate what
the honor of a state Is worth. He that
would consent for the honor OF his
state to be prostituted, even II it put
money into the treasury, is not a good
citizen.
For what did our forefathers fight in
l77G? Did the followers Of Washington
spill their blood 50 freely for money?
No, not for money, but for principle.
The tax on tea was not resisted by the
~colonists because Of the money. The
, payments Of the tax would not nave
financially crippled them, but the pay
@. ment of "A tenth part Of the tax on Tho
! principle IL was demanded. would have
, made them slaves. Nations go to wal
) and pour out their treasures Tor hon
r. or - siltc.
, Bribery costs, looking at it from
g sordid standpoint. In 81. Louis, miles
70 and mil - of streets have been giycI
e away, that is, the city has obtained
nothing. but the corrupt Officials have
4 grown rich by the sale Of these iran
chises. II the city had received a ran
G compensation for franchises 1t would b'
millions better of to-day.
g There Is no way of estimating th'
v financial loss to Il state by IA carniVa
u of corruption, but that the people lost
e can no be seriously denied. When tn
l. agent of the Baking Powder trust pail
! 81, 900 for senatorial votes, II got wha
!" IL wanted, the senators gained VIVA
! they wanted. Their can be no sail
y without "A corresponding loss. VIII
lost what the corrupt officials and III
y rust gained? Why. the people. Ever
- corrupt dollar obtained by an oficia
" q filchcd directly from the people.
" Above all, the cos of corruption !
> the freedom of the people. THE wage
= OF sin Is death" Is true OF political a
- well as physical life. II all judge
y, we're corrupt, where could justice b
found. II all prosecuting attorney
:, were yenal, no mans life or propert
=, would be safe: II laws were bought an
:. sold like commodities, then the libel
ties OF the people would be undermine'
,o ORcial corruption Is more dangerou
rc than other crimes, for 1t strikes al tn
,f. At aII lnn Tho iIaNltah
Ia ! cost Of corruption Is the decay OF III
~ - l. t.t url.