New-York tribune., 1903-03-15
BRIBERY IN RHODE ISLAND.

Following closely upon Mr.. George kenhahs 8
revelations Of til. wholesale corruption or the
electorate in Delaware. the message OF Cover
nor Garvin of Rhode Island is peculiarly sig
nificant 1t suggests a widespread demorallza-
ton We are all much inclined 10 glory in the
civic virtue of people. All that is wrong
with our public life we blame upon the wicked
politicians and the ignorant foreign voters.
We are strong in faith that the great body
OF our citizenship. particularly in the rural dis
tricts. is morally sound and truly patriotic.
That is just what the revelations made in Della
ware and Rhode Island contradict. 1t may be
thought that these tiny States offer peculiar
temptations to rich men in search of pocket
horoughs hut any body who Is familiar with po
litical conditions in various States will prob
ably be able TO give evidence OF a popular
feeling in other communities that the fran
e.hise is a valuable asset. not TO he used except
on due peyment from those who will benefit
from It by gaining Office. Governor Garvin in
his message said
In a consdera bic number OF our towns bribery
is 70 common and has existed for so many
years that the awful nature Of the crime has
ceased to impress. In some towns the bribery
takes place openly, is not called bribery, nor
considered serious matter. The money paid
TO the voter whether 81. IS or S20. IS spoken Of
as a payment for his time
The same thing happens in many towns in
this State Ii is said that citizens Of standing
regularly accept such payments and no dis
rePute attaches TO them. Mr. KEENAN, said the
same classes OF people took bribes I'm Della
ware. The poor and ignorant negroes have
generally been thought OF as the principal
benehciaries OF Addickss bounty, but Mr. Ken
nan gave many instances Of we'll to do Ameri-
can farmers who had been demorsfized by the
- xv1So h,,-f
habit OF regularly demanding the market price
before they would go to the polls In this State
the ballot law has placed some obstacles In the
way OF bribery, but II is to be feared that with
out the law private virtue would not be able
to Withstand temptation. Certainly before it
was passed there was wholesale corruption in
those rural districts where the solid and re-
spectacle American element is supposed TO be
the strongest. Since then. when there have
been hot primary contests. there has been no
trouble about buying votes. A few years ago
the county Judge Of Genesee County went be-
fore a party convention and denounced the
wholesale bribery in the interest OF wealthy
candidate for Congress which had accompanied
The election of it's members.
II Is worthy Of serious consideration IL a
large number of fairly intelligent and gem
ersiIy honest citizens In every part of the
country have not ceased to regard the franchise
az a trust. They seem even to have lost in
.erest in their government as an expression
of their own personality They merely have a
voss as an asset Pay them and they will use
II as they would their Doe. And yet they would
not steal from q neighbof. They have simply
coue 10 think nothing Of their dignity as
American citizens Therein lies danger more
serious than the rnislee.!s Of corrupt politicians
or the evils Of gigantic trusts. Ii takes two to
br:bs. The corrupt politician would be help