The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-04
BRISTOW AT SALIVA.
Banquet to Distinguished Kan
san a Pronounced Success.

Salina, Kan, Jan. 4-The banquet
given Saturday night by the Republican
county central committee of Saline
county to Joseph l. Bristow, fourth as
success. 1t was spread in the banquet
hall of the Masonic temple here, and
covers were laid for 25o persons.
Mr.. Bristow was, of course, the prin-
cipal speaker. His address was pre-
pared on short notice, but it was ex-
ceptionally good. Mr. Bristow is joint
owner of the Salina Evening Journal
with Henry J. Allen of Ottawa, chair
man OF the state board of charities He
first came to Salina in 1891 at which
time he purchased the Daily Republican.
and Mr. Allen was his city editor, SO
that both were formerly Salina resi-
dents.
Mr.. Allen spoke on THE Kid in Poll
tics and other addresses were made
by Justice Burch of the Kansas SUI
preme court. DR.. A. J. May of New
vile, and John c. Short of Assaria N
H. Loomis, Of Topeka, who was once a
farmer boy in Glendale township of
TINS county. was scheduled to speak on
PRODUCTS of Glendale Township" but
he found 1t impossible to be present
The subject assigned to Mr. Bristow
was Honesty in Public Service" and
as he was introduced he was greeted
with Win rouslng cheers. He said in part:
CromWelFs revolution was simply
the race returning to it's original idea
that every man able to discharge the
duties OF a citizen should have a voice
N the. governments The permanent re-
Storat1on Of this principle and it's estab-
lishment as the prevailing policy in the
government of civilized society was
made by the Puritans when they estab-
lished the American colonies of Con
necticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Is
land The Anglo-Saxon idea has never
been that office holding was to be
profitable or lucrative vocation Many
of the most important offices of the
English government carry no salaries
the honor and distinction of being Sc
lected by the people to high positions
of its public trusts is regarded as am
pie reward for the burdens. The policy
of our government, however, is to fix a
reasonable money compensation for
the public officer so that men in the
modest walks of life may not be barred
from public service. The prevailing
motive that leads the ordinary Ameri-
can citizen to seek a position of prefer
ment is not financial CONDENSATION, but
the qualification of his ambition. There
is spirit of pride inherent in the race
that is satisfied by the performance of
honorable public service.
The candidate for office before the
American people asks them to delegate
to him the exercise of power to be
used in their interest. He solicits their
confidence. When elected therefore he
has imposed upon him special obliga-
and uses this power thus delegated to
crafty a spirit OF venality and avarice
under these circumstances he commits
a crime more obnoxious to the public
welfare than the burglar who with his
dark lantern enters the privacy of the
home and pillages the bureau drawers
or the bandit who robs the citizen on
the public highway, the burglar sets
himself at defiance with society and in
vites the ostracis of mankind. When
caught in his unlawful acts he accepts
the result with the philosophy of
stole, claims no consideration and ac-
cepts the penalty of the law.
1.-The highw lyman declares war upon
organized society and becomes an en-
envy of the laws of his country. He
boldly takes the chances of loss of life
and liberty in an open warfare and
does not veil his acts with the cloak of
hypocrisy. but the public officer who is
corrupt in the execution of his high
trust has sought the confidence of his
fellowman for the purpose of betraying
it, the badge of distinction given him
means of plumber With malignant
hypocrisy he robs the friend that be-
slowed the favor. There is nothing so
vital to the welfare of a republic as
an honest public servant
"A loss of confidence on the part of
the people in the integrity of the pub
lie officers will result in loss of con-
fidence in the honesty and justice of.
vitality result in a decline of patriot
ism and political disentegration would
be the ultimate and, as a rule our
public officers are men of high charac-
ter and superior worth. There are
| fewer exceptions to this rule than pop
ular opinion credits, but when the ex-
ception does occur the people should
visit upon the offenders swift and Sc
we're punishment.
The stamp of public reproach should
be burned upon the forehead of the Off
cial- He should be branded with the
mark because he is the murderer of pub
lie confidence. Prompt removal of men
from positions of public trust upon the
first indication of dishonesty is of thu
highest necessity. In the late postal scan
dals most of the dishonesty clustered
around three men.
In the preservation of the integrity of
the public service a great responsibility
rests with the people. If the people look
lightly upon the crime of official dishon-
esty the poison will spread, but if thsy
infiict severe and relentless punishment
upon dishonesty wherever it appears it
will be confined to rare cases and limit
ed sphere.
salina Horseman Dead.
Co.;