Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1904-07-28


venallty. The debt then amounted to $2l.-
$4,000. Under economic democratic ad-
ministrations this debt has been paid
off entirely, and the only financial obli-
cations of the state that now remain are
the school certificates. amounting to 81
so. $50 which are In the nature OF an
endowment for the cause Of public edu-
cation. the principal and interest belong
Ing to the public school fund.
The tax rate when the republican party
was driven from power In Missouri was
| 70 cents on the 800 valuation. The demo-
cratic party OF Missouri has reduced this
to II cents on the s100 valuation. and %
cents OF this goes TO the public school
fund. There is no state In the union
with as many public institutions to main
tain as Missouri that has as low tax
rate. Missouri is the only state In the
union that has lowered her taxes and
paid off its debt at the same time.
The democratic party in Missouri,
guided by the inspiration OF Thomas JEFF
ferson.> has ever fostered public educa-
ton. Its ideal. as was his. n well articu-
lated system OF schools. from the hum
blest rural school through a great uni
versity. During the past 30 years. under
democratic administration. Missouri has
organized ard developed system OF
schools along broad lines and now spends
more annually for public education than
for all other purposes combined.
Differing from the policy observed In
republican states. where mixed schools
for whites and blacks are maintained,
the democratic party In Missouri. at the
added expense TO white taxpayers. has
maintained. ard pledges itself 10 con-
tinue to maintain, separate schools for
white and black children.
Believing that education is the best
means of promoting general Industrial
progress, OF establishing proper social
and moral principles. and of inspiring
high civic honor, We indorse the motion
OF the democratic legislature Of 1903, in
submitting to the voters OF the state to
be; voted on at the coming election, the
proposed constitutional amendment pro-
viding textbooks for free use In all the
public schools of the state, and commend
this proposed amendment to the careful
consideration OF the voters of Missouri.
While we point with pride to what has
been done in the state In providing
schools for defective children. In provid-
ing them with special technical and pro-
fessional education OF high order. and
In encouraging and helping every commit
nifty to provide the best possible cduca-
ton for Its children: we pledge our state.
so long as It's affairs are administered
by the democratic party. to continue the
work so we'll begun. until there shall not
he any illiteracy, immortality or improvi-
dence.
The democratic party OF Missouri not
only stands for material and intellectual
progress. but for moral advancement, and
declares that the paramount issue before
the people OF Missouri Is the eradication
OF bribery from public life In this state.
1t Is not because there Is more corrup-
ton In Missouri than In other states that
We are leading In the crusade against
corruption In politics and government
but because the extent of the evil has
been exposed here. and in other states
II has not. Through the work OF demo-
cratic officials OF Missouri. the Missouri
idea" has become a slogan all over the
land. The appalling exposures of cor
ruption In Missouri have brought upon
the good citizens of this state the re-
spnnsibility of stamping out the things
that dishonor ard Cypress. Good citizens
may innocently 10 wrong. but liberation
OF known abuses Is criminal. No party
can be hurt by getting rid OF rascals.
No state can be injured by the enforce
ment of law. The disgrace is In toleraton.
not in corruption. There can be no
grander mission in store for any pollti-
cal party than to fight public evils.
The subject OF the eradication of bribery
Is more important than any other, for
other problems concern the functions of
government. while this goes to the ex-
istence OF government itself. Corruption
In public life. II tolerated. will lead to
the destruction OF free government.
Where bribery rules there is n govern
eminent not OF. for and by the people.
but a government OF and for the few
with wealth enough to purchase official
favors. Other offenses violate the law.
while bribery aims at the assassination
OF the commonwealth itself.
In the city Of st. Louis. according TO
the confessions OF those implicated. for
Is years bribery stalked through the leg
islative halls. Corruptionists grew ar
rogant and powerful. They were conh-
dent In their wealth and political power.
and felt that on one dared attack them.
In our state legislators have forgotten
their high commission and have become
involved In the meshes OF greed. Demo-
cratic officials have exposed these condi-
lions. and laid upon the offenders the
heavy hand of the law.
We hereby declare unremlttinR warfare
against corruption and pledge the demo-
cratic party to hit corruption. and hit Il
hard. whether In our own raLks ~ In