The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-08-13

Ano coiteEAlona OF buSefWato kAuheu
from the public and private places 70
which they have been admitted as
guests7
II may be In error, but l hold that
the average official does about what
bis constituency expects Of him. II he
Ia honest be reflects honesty, and II he
Is dishonest be reflects dishonesty. Il
Il n severe statement 70 make. but the
conclusion Ia inevitable that the low
moral tone Of our public service has
It's foundation In the low moral tone
Of those who create Il.
Il met a young man recently who
had been appoInted 10 public position
Of considerable importance. He Is q
man OF high moral character. He was
reared by parents who had old fashion
ed views Of honesty. and the boy Is
worthy Of their training. He was much
discouraged when be came 10 me.
4 bold 4 position be said. which
cOmpels me 10 nnslly pass upon the
awarding OF contracts involving the ex-
penditure OF large sums OF money.
like the work. aud the salary IL salts
factory | fear. however. that ! shall
Dc compelled 10 tender my resignation
when / pressed him for reasons for
taking such q step he said:
~ am constantly subjected % In
salts from th0se Whotn / considered my
friends aud 20 indignitles from those
with whom my officisi position throws
me 10 contact Nearly ali Of my old
acquaintance assume that | am ia
position where I cnn--weii, 20 put IL
hiuntiy steal money. II seems 70 be
established beyond doubt that my
predecessor look unfair advantage OF
bis place. aud be died rich and respect
81 NY friends seem 10 be divided Ia,
10 two Glasses. one Of hlch assumes
that l am llning nay pockets 81 the eE-
pense ~ the public treasury These
congratulate mc on my luck or inhu-
cncc la securing 80 favorable Geld
for loot and advise nae 90 make hay
" hilr the sun shines. 10 much FOR the
nrat class The Eeoond class csgeems
nse an honest man aud c0nscq uently
an ass ! am assured by these sd
vlsera thsf 40 onr viii be the wiser II I
exact a commission from shcceasful
bidders. thar IL "a recognized and cs-
yRblihhed custom and q legitimate per
quihlte 10 which am eutitlcd. that
ucvrr VIII acquire indnrncc until ! put
powerful interests under obllga ton 10
mv. THAI am expected 10 derive such
revenues and TO pay = liberal percent.
aEr ~ thrm into the party treasury IN
order 10 a.n q victory 10 the next eiec.
lion. and. fnnily, that roy notions Of
honesty ere 80 out 20 date as 60 stamp
mc az a fool or a hypocrite am a.
teruately threatened or caJoicd by
those whose accepted hribcs would per
uil them 10 rob the community
Z listened 20 him. and When be bad
ended asked him II there was not a
third class be bad forgotten.
" surely. said. there must be some
who know your attitude and lndorse Il
The commendaiion Of tbese honest cit
lScns should morp than repay the slurs
Of your false friends
Tic assured ne that no such eaHHi
existed in his case. OF had come under
his observation. shortly after this In
terviCw the young man rcslgned bis
position and was succeeded by q 'prac
tlcsr politician
at il idle 20 hope for political or Of
fcial honesty until such time az Their
IL national revival OF civic and bust
ness honesty. There viii come tim,
Nlcn the frenzy Of money madness
will be aucceedcsi by \ return TO sans
morality. Nature seems TO have or
daine1 that ail things move IN cycles
and this one will pass away. The
future student OF history win Rad th,
puEHling record OF these times and
doubt the accuracy OF the historian
who declares that an era once existef
when the dazzled worshipers Of mon
|. cy almost forgot the distinctions be
tween vice and virtue
"Our country stands In need Of th'
/. patriots and Of the patriotism OF hon
rsty The great heat OF the natior
and OF It's people Jet beats true to tbs
lofty Ideals OF the past, but its eye
are ixcd ON the cleaning heaps OF gOlS
which lie scattered along itH path o.
progress. and its ears are rayished b!
the nominations Of its devotees, Des
tiny holds In storc for this people
grandeur which never comes even a.
dream TO the delivers and grasper
after material gres tness."