The Lafayette gazette., 1903-03-28

BRIBERY nv ELECTIONS.
In his recent message to the
Legislature of that State the
governor of Rhode Island calls
attention to conditions which
disclose an appalling degree OF
political immortality in that part
of Uncle Sans domains. The
Rhode Island executive states in
plain terms that bribery has
become so common in that State
that it is practiced openly in GER
tain com mmunities where it fails to
cause any comment. The gov
ernOr says in his message to the
Legislature:
'sThat bribery exists to great extent in
the elections Of this State is a matter of
common knowledge. No general election
passes without in some section of the State
the purchase of votes by both of the
great political parties. 1t is true that the
results of the election may not often be
changed SO far as the candidates on the
State ticket are concerned, but many assem-
blymen occupy the seats they do by means
of purchased votes.
sin a considerable number of our towns
bribery IS SO common and has existed for
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 Eor considered serious matter.
The money paid TO the voter, whether So,
IS, or $40, is spoken of as a payment for
his time.
'tThe claim that the money given to the
elector is not for the purpose of influencing
his vote, but in compensation for time lost
in visiting the polls, is the meresl sophistry,
and should not deceive any adult citizen of
ordinary intelligence. It is we'll known
that in such towns, when one political
party is supplied with corruption fund and
the other Is without, the party provided
invariably elects its assembly ticket, thus
positive proof that the votes are
bought and the voters bribed. Not only |
does such corruption of voters destroy their |
usefulness as citizens and sap the very |
foundations of popular government, but it |
is clearly criminal
The charge that bribery has
been committed with impunity
at elections is not new in this
country, but it has seldom pro-
voked the outspoken condemna-
zion of governors and other per-
sons occupying high official posi-
ions. Therefore it is not so
much the existence of bribery in
Island that surprises the
public, but rather the existence
# a governor who denounces it .
n unmistakable terms. !
It is not to be wondered at ,
hat the worthless elements
the Union are prone +
D look upon the franchise as a :
marketable commodity, when /
len. who occupy the highest po- +
ltions in official and political +
ircles- make no secret of the \
lct that they use their influence 7
} secure special privileges at f
le hands of the government. o
he wretch who sells his vote is q
epraved to be sure, but is he !,
eater enemy of the institu tons +,
his country than the million n
re who contributes to the cam r;
ign fund in the hope of getting d.
tariff rake-off? Has he COM n
tied a more grievous sin Al
ainst the cause of public NOR hi
ty than the chairman of fa
who fries the fat
of the trusts to raise a vast
'ruption fund? II
the corruption
ich prevails in Rhode Island oe
not confined to any political vi
ty and the diseased condition VI
the public conscience which in
mits the bribe-giver and the st
oe-taker to go unpunished is no
peculiar to Gov. Garvin's as
te. The malady with which rls
little commonwealth is af- nc
ed affects the body polite of oe
entire country. The wave 1lo
ordid commercialism which po
MS to be sweeping over the Ooe
causes even the most
ed rights of citizenship to it i
measured by the dollar. 1
thor tho rich man harfarS nor