Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-08-06

OF lne iHW lnty ODJecJ 10 so InucI
"hell being raised" Hell can not be
raised unless it is there, and it is
better to raise it than to allow it Ia
remain and rot the state.
Those who sympathize with corrupt
officials speak very pathetically of
their being ruined by the bribe-giv-
ers. l never yet have found an official
who was ruined that was not a very
willing partner in the transaction.
When a bribe-taker is on trial the
bribe-giver is always held up as the
bad man by the friends of the ac-
cused. "If there were no bribe-giver
there would be no bribe-taker,' they
solemnly argue. Then, when the
bribe-giyer is put on the rack, the
tune changes and the bribe-taker be-
comes the scoundrel. "If there were
no bribe-takers, there would be no
bribe-giyers," they then say. This is
known as the boodler's argument,
whereby they insist that something
else be done in order to divert atten-
ton from the case in hand. Both the
giver and taker of brides should be
punished where it can be done. In
the prosecution of bribery, it is neces-
sary to use some of the guilty par
ties against the others, for no one
knows of the transaction except
those implicated in it, and the evil
dence must come from polluted lips.
As. Between the bribe-giver and taker,
the n is the more culpable who first
makes the proposition. In practice,
however, the state must take evidence
where it can be obtained. There are
usually more bribe-t-akers than CIV
ers, for one man may give brides TO
many men. Both the giver and taker
of brides deserve the seyerest punish
ment. Those who call for the pun
ishment of everybody, however, really
argue for the punishment of nobody,
for in such instance no evidence could
be obtained.
We have heard a good deal about
the statute of limitation. There is no
statute of limitation against the pros
ecution of crime unless the party who
committed the offense has been usual
ly resident within the state for three
years subsequent to the act. There is
no way TO ascertain whether prosecu-
ton for bribery is barred by limita-
ton until the facts are developed,
and there is no way to find out the
facts except by investigation. If, af-
ter the inquiry, it is found that pros
ecution is barred, there may at least
be exposure, and exposure is a very
desirable thing The people are en-
tiled TO know who the rGscals are.
Those who complain most about GO
ing behind the statue of limitation
a usually be found hiding behind
the statute themselves. No honest
mar fears investigation; no dishonest
mar has any right to complain of it.
If a man has done nothing wrong
he con not be hurt by exposure. If
he is injured his own deeds are his
doomsman, and he has only himself
to blame.
Public Right 20 Sentiment.
Some complain OF public sentiment
as if the public had no right to senti-
ment. The object of enforcing the
criminal law at all is to protect So
eiety, and when the public ceases to
have any rights in the transaction
pealed. The remedy for corruption is
in the public conscience. Bribery was
condoned here and all over the eoun-
try for years. An official known to
have an itching palm did not lose
standing with his fellows. The public
sentiment against bribery was dor
mant. The Nervousness of the crime
not realized; it was considered
merely conventional" Now there is
an awakened public sentiment, and
the official who would take a bride
would be held in contempt and dis
grace in the eyes Of all men. / re-
gard this spirit of civic Righteousness
of more importance in the eradica-tl
tion of bribery than anything else.
When the people are Indifferent, cor
rupt men feast and fatten at the pub
lie expense; the public is plundered
every hand; legislative halls are
made dens of thieves. When public
is thoroughly aroused it is
dangerous time for public plumber
ers to ply their trade.
This In the most critical period In
the history of our state. The eyes
of the world are on Missouri to see
what the people OF Missouri are GO
to do about IL. After all these
exposures there can be no onora
BILE Cancellation. Every citizen must
march nm -er the flag of de-
The fight IN no ensy one II the cor
are to be overcome.
They nre intrenched behind mil
lions of dirty money and untold po-
influence.
Every good citizen has a work to do,
done in private life is as credita-
as the faithful carrying out of
obligations in the public serv-
ice. Do your W thinking, and be-
come a missionary in the cause of civ
&c honor among your fellow-eitizens.
You will be opposed only by the
prejudice of ignorance or the preju-
lice of interest. The prejudice of ig-
ORANGE can be overcome, for it is
the heart. The prejudice Of in
crest can not be changed, for II is
ielf-willed.