The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-07-28

has been done in the state In provid
Ing schools for defective children, IL
providing them with special technical
and professional education OF higt
order, and In encouraging and help
ing every community to provide the
: best possible education for its chill
drep; we pledge our state, so long az
Its affairs are administered by the
Democratic party, to continue the
work so well begun, until there shall
not be any illiteracy, immortality oil
improvidence.
PARAMOUNT ISSUE.
The Democratic party OF Missouri
not only stands for material and In.
tellectual progress, but for moral
advancement, and declares that the
paramount issue before the people oil
Missouri is the eradication ofbribery
from public life In this state 1t is
not because there is more corruption
in Missouri than in other states that
we are leading In the crusade against
corruption in politics and govern
ment, but because the extent OF the
evil has been exposed here, and in
other statesit has not. Through the
work OF Democratic officials of Mis-
souri,, the Missouri Idea" has be-
come slogan all over the land. The
appalling exposures of corruption in
Missouri have brought upon the good
citizens OF the state the responsibility
OF stamping out the things that dis
honor and Cypress. Good citizens
may innocently do wrong, but tolera.
tion OF known abuses is criminal.
No party can be hurt by getting rid
OF rascals. No state can be injured
by the enforcement OF law. The dis
grace lie in liberation, not In corrup-
ton. There can be no greater
mlssionin store for any political par
ty than to fight public evils.
The subject of the eradication of
bribery Is more important than any |
other, for other problems concern
the functions III government, while
this goes to the existence OF govern
ment itself. Corruption In public life,
II tolerated, will lead to the destruc.
tion Of free government. Where
bribery rules there is a government
for the few with wealth enough
to purchase official favors. Other Of
lenses violate the law, while bribery
aims at the assassination OF the com.
itself.
1n the city OF st. Louis, according
to the confessions OF those impllcat.
ed, Tor 25 years bribery stalked
through the legislative halls. Cor
ruptionists grew arrogant and pow.
erful. They were confident in their
wealth and political power, and felt
that no one dared attack them. In
our state legislators have forgotten
their high commission and have be-
comeinvolved in the meshes oigreed
Democratic officials have exposed
these conditions, and laid upon the
Offenders the heavy hand OF the law.
We indorse the work that has been
1onein this regard. We have declar-
I'd unremitting warfare against
corruption, and pledge the Demo.
ratio party to hit corruption, and
litit hard, whether In our own ranks
'r In the ranks Of the opposition
party. The decree has gone forth
that there is no room in the Demo-
cratic party for boodlers. We repu-
liate their support, and do not want
heir votes. We invite such 40 are {
nasquerading under the cloak of the
Democratic party to bolt, and pro.
bose to make them bolt, not only the
,arty, but the state. We have con.
idence in the honesty Of the people {
ind to them we appeal for success. J
Ne invite all honest people, Of all
POLITICAL parties, to join US in this {
rusade against corruption. tits the L
'italissus involved in this campaign, I
ind on this issue we stake the hope I
i the Democratic party OF Missouri. 1
NEW LEGISLATION.
We are in favor Of the passage OF q
Nv making It q felony for an officer
o solicit q bride, the misdemeanor
unshment now In force being en-.
rely inadequate to the enormity oil
be oilense.