Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-10-13
l. RONTON. MO. THURSDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1904.

Toes CndC SIGNIFY! what might 1t
not signify? Some nineteen hun
dred years ago one Jesus struck a
blow at Judaism, for which he was
crucified; and yet all Christendom
bears witness that that blow was
well and properly planted.
Washington struck a blow at
political inequality that resulted
in the greatest advancement in
political liberty the world has ever
known. For which we speak his
name with reverence.
John Brown struck a blow at
human slavery, for which he was
hanged, and although no one now
approves his methods, almost all
are agreed as to the righteousness
of his course.
Abraham Lincoln struck some
telling blows along the same line.
He also forfeited his life.
Eugene Debs is also striking a
blow at another form of human
slavery. A more subtitle but, ii
possible, a more malignant form,
known as wage slavery.
So all along the line of human
history humantarians have arisen
and struck with all the power God
gave them at the shackles upon the
limbs of their fellow men. And ]
am sorry to say that they have had
Mo strike over the heads of time
servers and conservatives, which
is only another word for towards.
Let the blow fall, MI. Editor,
and if it falls heavy enough, and
lands square enough, it will knock
corruption into smithereens, and
graft into a cooked hat, and send
the lobbyist to a useful occupation.
You know too we'll the truth of the
adage: eff you want a thing done
do it yourself, and if not, send
some one." For 1873 years we have
tried sending some one to trans
act our business at Washington
and the various seats of our several
state governments. What is the
result? Listen to a Missouri grand
jury report: "The testimony we
have heard has shown a state OF
affairs most amazing. State offc-
ials have confessed to us of hav-
ing accepted brides for official in-
fluence, and having acted as 60
betweens in securing brides for
other legislators. We have list
ened to the confessions OF State
Senators, and were we at liberty
to make known all they have told
us, the recital would appal and
astound the citizens of the State.
Our investigations have gone back
for twelve years, and during that
time the evidence before us shows
that corruption has been the usual
and accepted thing in State legis-
lation, and that too, without inter-
ference or hindrance. Senators
have been on the payroll OF
Lobbyists and served special in
terests instead of public good. 1t
is time that the people should be
awakened to the awful condition
of things in the General Assembly.
We have found some indictments
for bribery, and there would be
many more were it not for the
statute of limitations, which bars
indictments in this State for this
offense three years after the COM
mission of the offense. 1t seems
to US that this is entirely too short
a time and that the statute should
be extended so as to permit an in
dictment found within seven years
from the date of the crime. The
fact that some public officials,
against whom indictments have
been returned, and even after con-
viction, are permitted to exercise
the functions of their Offices to en-
act laws is abhorrent to the minds
and conscience of honest men,"
And in addition to this, Rookie
Teller owns our oil fields, Baer ou1
coal fields, Morgan our railroads,
and our lands are fast passing into
the hands of foreign and domestic
syndicates. Our people are be-
coming homeless wage slaves de-
pending for the right and oppor-
tunity to labor upon some soulless
corporation. Hence, the right and
opportunity to live is also in cor
porate hands, for who controls my
right and opportunity to labor.
controls my liberty and my life.
Now almost every State in the
Union has some form of secret bal
lot. Why? Are we not free men? Dc
free men fear to exercise a consti-
tutional right? What il the Logical
conclusion? Our representative
form of government needs a strong
reinforcement. The veto power
should be returned to the hands Of
the people. So also should the
power to initiate legislation. Add
to this the power of recall and oul
government will have smooth sail
ing once more. Why should a
professed Democratic journal feal
the people? Isn't democracy the
peoples rule? Do we after all be-
lieve with Alexander Hamilton
that the people are a great host te
be ridden but never to be trustedi
Surely the apostles Of Thos. Jeffer-
son should not hesitate to reclaim
absolute power for the people.
F. P. HILBURN.
Saved His Life.