The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-04-26
EMULArIoN AND REDEMprIoN.

EMjLAIION AND hEDEMfllON-
Indications are that several State Legislatures will
shortly swing into the reform column led by Missouri.
Crises have been reached in Wisconsin and Illinois.
while in one or two other communities, notably New
York, developments are rapidly leading to public dis
closures. Reluctance generally marks the first steps
toward Regeneration. but after false pride has
been cast by the way the inevitable will be faced with
courage and resolve.
In Wisconsin there are loud declarations Of cor
ruption, and n Senator announces that he has gathered
enough information to send half the Senate to the
Penitentiary. that votes have been sold outright. that
railroads have pooled and bought Senators body and
soul. bought the right TO dictate their votes on any
proposition. Investigations will in all likelihood
follow.
Riot in the Illinois House was preclpitaied by
Doodle disclosures. Investigation is now in progress
and i Grand Jury will probably take speedy action.
In the New York Legislature boodling is "avowed.
open. notorious" according to. the press. This condi-
tion will not long remain undisturbed by the people
and the laws.
At Washington the investigation of Post-ofice
frauds has developed Il minor but highly sensational
climax in the dismissal of James Tyner, Assistant At
torney General for the Tost-Oiice Department.
coupled with charges that the records have been alb
stracted from his office. Reports contain abundant
information Of frauds. favoritism and a peculiar sort
Of corruption in the department. These matters. il is
assured. will he probed fully and the guilty punished.
Thus it appears that Missouri and 81. Louis are
not alone in misfortune. There can be no doubt that
the exposures in this State have had a direct influence
toward results in al least Illinois and Wisconsin. and.
as for New York. our vigorous campaign of explOra-
ton here has afforded a perfect antithesis to the
inertia which so far has characterized the New York
ers attitude toward conditions at Albany: and the
contrast. specific and direct. that has been so widely
noted in the press. has contributed no little to the
formation of a strong and growing public opinion in
the Empire State which I'm time may be relied upon
TO enforce action against the boOdlers. Missouri's
example has borne and will continue to bear fruit.
Is this moving spirit Of reform TO be called shame
Iessness-? Upon the theory of shamelessness which
n partisan press has widely exploited. Illinois and
Wisconsin would come under the "odium.'r Saws the
Republican morning organ. a heavy weight of odium
rests on Missouri at the present time and is freely
commented ON by 10000 newspapers throughout the
country
If Missouri is shameless because Of her han lful of
boodlers. %. too. are Wisconsin and Illinois. So. also.
are the United States. This hypothesis would inGic;
the entire Republican administration because Roose-
Welt has caught a rascal in the POst-Ofice Depart
nent.
ShamelesSness can only consist in a knowledge Of
corruption. such for instance rs obtains in New York.
coupled with Indifference. liberation or connivance.
Shamelessness would consist in a sudden abandon
ment Of the inqujsition here or at Washington or Il
refusal TO undertake the Investigations in the States
where corruption has been brought to light.
The authorities of this State have pursued and are
pursuing 4 highly exemplary course which must place
Missouri in first honor and repute among the States
and with the people.