The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-08-11

mitted to go on in city, and nation,
then the death of the republic IL
self is but a question of time.
Where wars, pestilence, famlnes
and all other calamities have destroy
ed one government, corruption mas
destroyed a score.
This is battle of right against
wrong. Evil has been arrogant, but
the day of reckoning has come.
This is the most critical period in
the history of our state. Every citl-
zen must either march under the flag
of decency or the banner of iniquity.
The corruptionists have insolently
demanded of the people: What are
you going to do about it?' An answer
will be given by Missourians who hate
corruption and despise wrong. Mis-
souri,. the fifth state in population,
will then be the first in civic honor
and American manhood.
Doesn't it seem strange that free
people should elect thieves to be the
makers OF their laws
He told stories like this to show
how oblivious Missouri legislators
have become to duty and honor:
1T is related of a senator that he
sold his vote on a pending measure
for $500, receiving the bride in one
bill. He took the train on his way
home. Having to ride all night, he
engaged a sleeping car. While he was
asleep the porter stole his purse con-
tanning the $500 bride money When
the senator awOke the next morning
and discovered his loss he was indig-
nant. Suspecting the porter he had
that person called before him and
accused him of the larceny. The
porter became frightened, confessed
and returned the money.
The senator handed him S. bill,
saying: I could send you to the pen
itentiary for this, but l will not do so.
Instead l give you this advice, which
you should keep in mind the rest of
)
der any and all circumstances, remem-
Der that honesty is the best policy"
The arguments of Folk are rein
forced by the bold phillipics of Gov
ernor La Toilette of Wisconsin, who
said in a recent address:
The problem presented IS mOmen-
tOus one. 1t calls for no appeal III
passion or prejudice or fear. It calls
for courage and patriotism and self
sacrifice. 1t calls for solution. Shall
the American people become servants
instead Of masters Of their boosted
material progress and prosperity
victims of the colossal wealth this free
land has fostered and protected?
Surely our great cities, our great
states, our great nation, will not
helplessly surrender to this insidious
enemy which is everywhere undermi-
ninng official integrity and American
institutions. Surely, We shall not
permit this government to aban don
it's traditions, its memories, its hopes,
and become the instrument of injus-
tice and oppression. Surely, the
American people will do their plain
duty now as they did in the greatest
epoch of this country's history. Sure
ly, we shall meet the issues presented
with rectitude and unfaltering devO-
ton, strong in the faith of ultimate
triumph
The people of the state of Wash
ingtOn have reason to understand
what Folk and La Toilette mean when
they decry the debauchery of lawmak-
ing bodies, the perversion of the pow
er of taxation, the bartering away of
valuable public franchises and the
wholesale corruption of public Off
Gals. No state in the Union is cursed
with a more shameless, insolent and
arrogant lobby than that which
reigns at Olympia during every SEES