Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-11-02

rents Oh IncSe ldyoIS are noI y shU
least deceived thereby. They recog-
nize ami accept them al their share OF
the graft. If the donor be In Office,
they realize that he Is expanding a
small percentage Of his stolen pro-
ats: II he be a candidate, they know
that for every dollar risked he hopes
to win ten.
The type Just considered may be
classed as professional grafters. They
make no hypocvritical pretense Of a
lne,spun morality. As a rule they
are no lower In the scale than the
electorate responsible for them,
Grating is their business. They are
working for their " pockets all
the time,n and scorn to deny II. The
answer to the question, what Is
there in 1t for me?' determines their
action In all things political or govern
mental.
Equally dangerous and far more
despicable is the CRATER who poses
as a respectable member Of society.
The CRATER from the slums-brutal,
ignorant and redolent Of the bar
room-would not be tolerated for n
moment had he not his counterpart
In the genteel, educated character In
broadcloth who prates OF patriotism
and asks the blessing OF Providence
on his speculations. II Is to fill the
hungry maws Of such as these that
Hobbies are maintained wherever rep
res~entatiyes have at their disposal
franchise fayors or special legislation.
It Is to swell their bank accounts
that certain corporations set aside
corruption funds, by means OF in
iquitous favors. for which they receiy-
ed the purchase price. robberies and
extortions innumerable are being prac-
ticed on the American people. Where
ii the community which can proudly
and truthfully say that 1t Is not being
| plundered as a consequence OF the
venality OF Its elected or appointed
oflcials3
How many boards OF aldermen are
there which stand SO high In honesty
as To be above suspicion? In what
state do legislatures meet which have
the respect. approval and implicit
trust Of Its people?
This Is the only nation in the world
where the holding Of q public Office
raises q suspicion as to the character
OF the incumbent. In u great mu'
inequalities we esteem 1t a matter
for congratulation II a man Of known
probity and OF recognized character
and ability can be induced to stand
for Office. Derlsiye names are coined
TO designate those whose unselish
civic pride impels them to bear the oil.
ium of Office holding. We call the
man who places honest citizenship
above partisan greed a 'mugwump.'
|, We term the man who dares defy the
cohorts Of organized rapacity a goo
goo. In most Of our large cities and
In hundreds Of smaller ones II Is I'm
/. possible to elect n ticket composed
/ wholly OF reputable men, except a.
long separated intervals when disgus'
. with unusually outrageous misgovern
, ment arouses a municipal revolution
, In other words we have not enough
, OF civic pride to outweigh the energ,
, and influence Of the CRATER. Surel,
this is an astounding and ~deplorabl,
state OF AFFAIRS! Since 1t obtains II
no other nation on the face Of tn,
/, globe the inference Is clear that ",
/, have rachel q low moral plane. which
should and which does hold us up L
the scorn OF all students OF thest
contaminated institutions.
Look the facts straight In the fac,
and attempt TO read the secret OF thii
, infamy. Who Is the ally OF the CRATER
, Who psyse ever the money which
makes his ceSseless activities profit
, able? IN the answer to these ques
ltions is found. the secret Of the sue
Jcsss.otstkS sr1fter and or she sham,
y Of American citizenship. .
II For eaeh' grsfter who receives
Ibrfbes there are a score Or more o
, men who tepder them. These pat
|. rons Or the CRATER. these PRODUCER
|, OF graft, are. az a rule. men who MAKE
prstsnse ~ ,yespectabslity. They ar,
/. men q anatrs.,. they are business
men> TREY Nave bank-accounts. The,
employ other men. and expect AM
, often insist that their employees shal
|. not vote counter TO their interests
They belong to churches. clubs ant
societies. They are a part OF IN,
! solid conservative element. Why arr
they the patrons of grating? Why d.
they votc for g~rafters In convention