Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-08

able, under the direction of the attor-
ney general and until used, for the duo
enforcement of the laws of the United
States i'll genera, and especially of the
civil and criminal laws relating to pub
lie lands and the laws relating to postal
crimes and otfenses and the subject of
naturalization. Recent Investigations
have shown a deplorable state of af-
fairs in these three matters of vital
concern. BY various frauds and by.
forscries and periuries thousands OF
acres of the public domain, embracing
lands of different character and ex-
tending through various sections OF
the country. lave been dishonesty ,acs
auired 1t is hardly necessary to urge
the Importance OF recovering these dis
honest acquisitions, stolen from tht.
people. and of promptly and duly pun.
ishing the offenders. l speak in an
other part of this message of the wide,
spread crimes by which the sacred
right of citizenship Is falsely asserted
and that "inestimable heritage" per-
that is, through frauds, forgeries and
perjuries and by shameless briberies
the laws relating to the proper conduct
of the public service in general and tG
the due administration of the postOHcs
department have been VIGOROUSLY yio-
lated, and many indictments have been
found. and the consequent prosecutions
are in course of hearing or on the eve
| thereof. For the reasons thus indicate
~. a.,
prepared to enforce promptly and with
| The greatest effect the due penalties
| for such violations OF law and to this
end may be furnished with sufficient
! insrrunlentalities and competent Legal
assistance for the Investigations and
| trials which will be necessary at many
different points of the country urge
upon the congress the necessity of max
| ing the said appropriation available
for immediate use for all such pur-
poses. to be expended under the direc-
ton of the attorney general.
Steps have been taken by the state
department looking to the making Of
| bribery an extraditable offense with
| foreign powers. The need of more eff
| fective treaties covering this crime s
manifest. The exposures and prosecu.
/ tons of official corruption in ST. Louis
and other cities and states have results
cd In number of givers and takers Of
brides becoming fugitiyvs in foreign
lands. Bribery has not been included
in eXtradltion treaties heretofore AS
the necessity for it has not arisen.
| While there may have been as much
official corruption in former years,
| there has been more developed aud
brought 10 light in the immediate past
than i'll the preceding century OF our
country's history. 1t should he the
policy of the United States TO leave no
place on earth where Il corrupt man
fleeing from this country can rest in
peace. There is no reason why bribery
should not be included in all treatief
as eStraditable. The recent amended
lttreaty with Mexico, whereby this crime
WAS put in the list of eXtraditable ofs
lenses. has established a saltitary
precedent III this regard. Under this
treaty The state department has asked,
and Mexico has granted. the extradi-
ton OF one OF the ST. Louis bride Civ
ers
1here can be no crime more serious
than bribery. Other offenses violate one