Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1904-07-29

= 50 Nht va ti.S kOcS ~ NHc pOullC INV
fund.
There Ia no state In the union with as
many public institutions to maintain as
Missouri that has az low n tax rates. Mis-
souri, Is the only state In IN" union. that
has lowered her taxes and paid on her
debts at the same time.
rcss NJ the state.
During the rule of democracy. Missouri
has risen to be the NTH state In the union
In population, and proposes to be the first
state IN the union In civic honor. Indus
enterprises fostered. In material develop
ment she has outstrlpped all OF her sister
states. and her magnificent system OF
public schools, eleemosynary establish
ments and other public institutions should
stimulate the pride OF every loyal citizen.
The democratic party OF Missouri. guild
ed by the inspiration OF Thomas Jefferson.
IDEAL. as was his, IL . weil-articulated sys-
TEN of schools, from the humblcst rural
school to a great nnivGrs,,y; During the
istSation. Missouri has organized and de-
veloped "A system of schools along broad
lines, and now spends more annually for
public education than for all other pur-
poses combined. Differing from the pol
Icy observed In. republican states. where
maintained, the democratic party In Mis-
souri,. at added expense to white taxpay-
ers. has maintained, and pledges Itself to
continue to maintain, separate schools for
white and black children.
Believing that education Is the best
means OF promoting general Industrial
rogress. OF establishing proper social and
moral principles and OF Inspiring high
civic honor. we indorsc the motion of the
democratic legislature OF 1908 In submit
ting to the voters of the state, to be voted
on at the coming election, the proposed
constitutional amendment providing text
books for free use In the public schools OF
the state, and 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 providing them with special
technical and professional education of a
nigh order, and in encouraging and help
ing every mmunity to provide the best
possible education for It's children, we
pledge the state, as long AS Its affairs are
administered by the democratic party, TO
continue the work so we'll bcrun until
thcr" shall not be any ilitcracy. immoral
ity or improNidcncc.
mount Issue.
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 j. the eradication
Of bribery 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 corrup-
tion In politics and government, but be
cause the extent of the cvil has been ex-
posed here, and in other states 1t has not.
Through the work Of democratic officials
vi nilNEplIl u, lll' IhlNh'lili hl'l ulN p'@
come a slogan all over the land. The APP
palling exposures of corruption in Mis-
souri, have brought upon the good citizens
of this state the responsibility OF stamp
ing out the things that dishoror and OPP
press. Good citizens may innoccntly do
wrong, but liberation of known abuses Is
| criminal. No party can be hurt by get
ting rid of rascals. No state can be in
jured by the enforcement of law The dis
grace is In toleration,, not In corrupting.
There can be no grander mission In store
for any political party than to night pub
lie 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 existence Of government itself. Cor
ruption in public life. If tolerated. will
lead to the destruction of free govern
| mcnt.
Where bribery rules. there Is a govern
ment not Of, for and by the people. hut n
wealth enough to %purchase official favors.
Other oifenscs violate the law, while
, bribery aims at the ASSASSINATION of the
Louis. according to the confessions Of
those implicated, for % years bribery
stalkcd through the legislative halls. Cor
ruptiOniStS grew arrogant and powerful.
They were confident In their wealth and
political power, and felt that no one
dared attack them. In our state lcgis-
%la,ure, legislators have forgotten their
high commission, and have become in
volved In the meshes of greed Demo-
dJiiions and laid npon he "Yemdcrs he me
''''''' 49, 49,. 'i,' '''''F ~
heavy hand of the law. We ipdorsc 'hc
work that has been done In this regard.
We here deciarc unr"mittinE warfare
against corruption, and pledge the demo-
cratic party to hit corruption, and hit 1t
hard, whether In our own ranks or In the
ranks of the opposition party. The decree
has gone forth that there Is no room In
the democratic party for boodlcrs. w"
repudiate their support ana do not want
masqueradinG under the cloak of the dom
u%cratic party tC bolt. ana propose to make
them bolt, not phiy the party, but the
state, We have confidence In the honesty
Of the people. ana to them we appeal for
| success.
We iayitc an honest people. Of all polit-
lea. parties, to Join uS in this crusade
| against corruption. II Is tn" vital issue
Involved in this campaign, and on this
issue We stake the hope Of the democratic
New Legislation.
We are IN favor of the PASSAGE Of n
law making II a Felony for an official to
solicit brides, the mi5dcmcanor punish
ment nov In force being entirely made
quatc to the cuorinity of the offcnsc, We
advocate a law compelling witnesses to
bribery transactions to testify. and re-
licving them of prosecution by reason Of
amy testimony they may give.
| II Is Impossible 10 secure evidence OF
bribery except through parties to the
offcnse, and. as al are "anally guilty he
testimony can not be obtained. II Is diff
tcult to obtain proof except by relieving
those who give states evidence from pros
| ecution,
We favor the passage OF laws making
nun and void All Franchises obtained by
bribery. We believe the statute Of limi-
tatiOns in bribery eases should be made
five years. We demand the prompt inves-
LEGATION OF all iumors Of bribery and the
prosecution OF offenders, no matter to
| what political party they claim To belong
| We believe n statute should be enacted
authorizing the governor, through the at
torncy-gcncraI, to take charge OF any
grand Jury In the state for the purpos" Of
Investigating corruption or any violation
Of the laws. We favor the passage OF