The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-09-10

extent. These Developments are an in
dicauon OF a diseased condition OF the
legislative service. Corruption works like
q mole underground ana does mol come
mt me sunlght 70 proclaim its corrupt
purposes II Is the most difficult OF ali
ouenses 10 secure evidence OF, and where
one case Is brought to light In the nature
o. 0nss, there must be many others
kna3 can never be fully ferreted out.
4hese alarming conditions are the direct
result OF the Indifference Of the people
70 their own business; for the people in
giving attention to public affairs are at
Vsndlng to their own business.
SERIOUSNESS OF BRIBERY.
Nhen one reflects on the conditions OF
pubic sentiment on the subject Of bribery
= Few years ago and thinks Of what It
Is To-Day the change is remarkable. 1t
mas not been long since bribery was con-
bloereu a matter Of course. Officials sold
Iher Vo0s and prostituted their trusts
without intolerance. Then came the ex-
posures and the awakening. The public
conscience was aroused to the enormity
OF the crime which, If tolerated, would
undermine government itself. For while
other onenses violate the law, bribery
strikes at the foundation of all law.
Under our form of government, all au-
thority Is vested in the people and by
them delegated to those who represent
the people In official capacity. If there
De an oHense greater than all others, It
Is that Of him, in whom such a sacred
trust has been reposed, who sells it for
MS own gain and enrichment. If all
ofhcial acts were for sale, there would
pc a government, not of and for and by
the people, but a government Of and for
ana by the few with wealth enough to
purchase official favors. The givers and
takers Of bribes are the greatest enemies
we have to deal with to-day. The Off
cial who sells his vote is a traitor to his
state-a traitor Of peace, more danger
Gus than the traitor of war. History
shows that where wars and all other ca
lAmIIlAG RnmhinRH hQun daGfFnUnh nnn
government, corruption has undermined
q score. There can be no more serious
problem confronting any people than the
eradication Of corruption. Other ques-
lions concern the functions of govern
ment while this goes to the very ex-
tstence of government itself. No govern
ment can long exist where bribery is
tolerated In ignoble silence.
THE MISSOURI IDEA.
Until the exposures and prosecutions In
st. Louis, a bribery case was practically
unheard Of. There have been only a few
eases reported In the books during the
past three years there have been more
prosecutions for bribery than in a pre-
ceding century of our country's history.
Following IN the lead Of Missouri, many
states are waging war against corruption
and many cities are fighting the powers
OF evil, The Missouri idea is known
everywhere as meaning the unrelenting
exposure and punishment Of givers n
takers of brides. Until recently bribery
was not included in any treaty between
this and other governments. At the in
stance of Missouri, the treaty with Mex
leo has been amended so as to include
bribery. A new treaty has been made
with the Netherlands making bribery ex-
traditable. Negotiations are in progress
with other great powers to close those
countries to fugitive giverS and takers OF
brides. To the Democratic party Of Mis-
souri, belongs the credit Of inaugurating
this movement. Some argue that Mis-
souri, Is being injured by these exposures
Of corruption and talking about 1t. No
greater mistake could be made. The cor
rection Of civic evils is the highest civic
virtue. The past two years have been
the W years OF all others that should
cause every Missourian to hold his head
higher as the citizen of a state that Is
taking the lead In the fight for good gov
eminent, now being made all through
the land. Instead Of there being any
thing to be ashamed Of there Is every
thing to he proud of because Missouri
iB scourglng public evils-Mtssourl
through the Democratic party, Is setting
The more boodlers are fought here the
more the name Missouri will be a syn
onym of civic honor everywhere.
ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
/ do not think a boodler who calls him
self a Democrat is any better than a
boodler who calls himself a Republican
both are criminals. If there be any diff
ference l should say prosecute the Dem
OcrAT UTSL, because ne GldlIlS 10 ne q
Democrat. The cloak Of Democracy
should be torn from him who dares t
use 1t as a shield for wrong doing. l Dc
not believe in closing our eyes to evil
for fear that by making a fuss about /
the party or the state may be injured
Nc party can be hurt by getting rid oil
rascals. No state can be DETAINED by
the enforcement of law. The injury
would be in the disgrace of liberation
1t can not be in correction. The only
way to stamp out corruption is K
crush 1t whenever and wherever 1
shows its head. II there be WRONG
doing, even in the Democratic party,
do not believe in waiting for the opposi
ton to attack us for 1t, but we SHOULD
be brave enough to apply the surgeon
knife ourselves. The Democratic part!
Of Missouri, In showing that 1t can anC
will do this, has given evidence 1t 4
entitled to and should receive public con
hdence and support.
REMEDY IN THE PUBLIC CON
SCIENCE.
Boodlers do not care for our laws 81
long as they control our politics. The.
do not know good from bad; all the.
know IS politics. But they do know goo,
politics from bad politics They nav
yet to learn whether boodling is ba,
politics or not. Show them that 1t is
and more will be accomplished toward
the eradication Of bribery than could b.
done by putting a hundred men behin'
prison walls. They do not fear the pen
ltentiary 50 much, as they hope to es
cape that through some hook or crook
\ but they do fear an outraged public con
A science. They look without terror on in
y dictments of grand juries, but they trem
BILE as they hear the distant rumble o
popular indignation. BOodling can b
stopped by the ballot as well as by tn
prison. Its remedy lies in the hearts 0
the people. The laws may be all right
but If the people are indifferent, boodlin
will flourish; but on the other hand, i
the people are aroused to the enormlt
Of the ~offense, bribery can be stopped
even though not a single offender b
punished. The Justinian Code Of Rom
Is said to be the most perfect system Q
laws ever devised by man, yet while thi
code was in operation Rome was under
mined by corruption. The laws were a
right, but the people were not. A dc
cisive vote of the people of Missouri o
the plain issue of Doodle would do NOR
than anything else to stop bribery b
putting the foot of public opinion on II
neck, and by showing that 1t is goo
politics for a political party to reall
fight corruption.
THE TIME rs NOW.
The people are sovereign, and have
In their power to correct things this
are wrong, or by indifference allow thei
to go on. Through ignorance Of exis'
ing conditions the people may innocentl
30 astray, but liberation Of known abuse
u criminal.
If corruption is ever to be permanent
overthrown in Missouri, now is the tin
to do Ii. 1t Is not likely that so niue