Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1903-08-06


raised unless il is there, and it is
remain and rot the state.
Those who sympathize with corrupt
officials speak very pathetically of
their being ruined by the bribe-giv-
ers. 1 never yet have found an official
who was "ruined" that was not a very
willing partner in the transaction.
When bribe-taker is on trial the
bribe-giver is always held up as the
bad man by the friends Of the ac-
cused. eff there were no bribe-giver
there would be no bribe-taker," they
solemnly argue. Then, when the
bribe-giver is put on the rack, the
tune changes and the bribe-taker be-
comes the scoundrel. eff there were
no bribe-takers, there. would be no
bribe-givers," they then say. This is
known as the boodler's argument,
whereby they insist that something
else be done in order to divert atten-
ton from the case in hand. Both the
giver and taker of brides should be
punished where it can be done. In
the prosecution of bribery, it is neces-
sary to use some of the guilty par
ties against the others, for no one
knows of the transaction except
those implicated in 1t, and the evil
dence must come from polluted lips.
AS between the bribe-giver and takeT,
the one is the more culpable who first
makes the proposition. In practice,
however, the state must take evidence
where it can be obtained. There are
usually more bribe-t-akers than Civ
ers, for one man may give brides to
many men. Both the giver and taker
of brides deserve the severest punish
ment. Those who call for the pun
ishment of everybody, however, really
argue for the punishment of nobody,
FOR in such instance no evidence could
be obtained.
We have heard a good deal about
the statute of limitation. There is no
statute Of Limitation against the pros
ecution of crime unless the party who
committed the offense has been usual
ly resident within the state for three
years subsequent to the act. There is
no way to ascertain whether prosecu-
tion for bribery is barred by limita-
ton until the facts are developed,
and there is no way to find out the
facts except by investigation. If, af-
ter the inquiry, it is found that pros
eCution is barred, there may at least
be exposure, and exposure is a very
desirable thing The people are en-
tiled to know who the rascals are.
Those who complain most about go
| sV,ar h,l, I'D Of aNnF inn
can usually be found hiding behind
the statute themselves. No honest
man fears investigation; no dishonest
man has any right to complain of it.
If n man has done nothing wrong
he con not be hurt by exposure. If
he is injured his own deeds are his
doomsman, and he has only himself
to blame.
Public Right TO Sentiment.
Some complain of public sentiment
as if the public had no right to senti-
ment. The object of enforcing the
criminal law at all is to protect So
ciety, and when the public ceases to
have any rights in the transaction
the statutes might as well be re-
pealed. The remedy for corruption is
in the public conscience. Bribery was
condoned here and all over the coun-
try for years. An official known TO
have an itching palm did not lose
standing with his fellows. The public
sentiment against bribery was dor
mant. The Nervousness of the crime
was not realized; il was considered
merely conventional Now there is
an awakened public sentiment, and
the official who would take bride
would be held in contempt and dis
grace in the eyes of all men. / re-
gard this spirit of civic righteousness
as of more importance in the eradica.
tiOn of bribery than anything else
When the people are Indifferent, cor
rupt men feast and fatten at the pub
lie expense; the public is Plundered
on every hand; legislative halls are
made dens of thieves. When public
sentiment is thoroughly aroused it is
dangerous time for public plumber
ers TO ply their trade.
This IN the most critical period In
, the history of our state. The eyes
of the world are on Missouri 10 see
, what the people of Missouri are go
ing to do about IL. After all these
> exposures there can he no hOnOFR-
7, BILE consultation. Every citizen must
either march IN err the nag OF de-
ceney or the banner OF iniquity
The nEht L. no easy one II the cor
ruPtIORists are to be overcome
They are ihtrenched behind mil
lions of dirty money and untold pO-
IitIcal influence.
Every good citizen has work to do
Duty done in private life is as credita
BILE as the faithful carrying out o
official obligations in the public serv
ice. Do your own thinking, and be
come a missionary in the cause of civ
ic honor among your fellow-citizens
You will be opposed only by tn,
:. prejudice of ignorance or the preju
dice of interest. The prejudice of ig
norance can be overcome, for il i
I mn