The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-11-19
GRAFT Is GROWING
SAYS CLEVELAND
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j hIU SUllvlLnleU
, (Continued from First Page.)
to avoid, but IL we are to be frank we
must confess that the DIR eadful list could
be more easily enlarged than curtniled.
The tremendous question confronting us
Is whether these things can be regarded
as mere items Of bad behavior which
will yield to correction, or whether we
must submit to the belief that ney are.
symptoms and manifestations Of q fun
dan1ental and radical change Ia Ameri-
can character.
II, like offenses committed by indi-.
viduals, they can be cured, or at least
restrained from progress or repetition by
exposure and punishment. we have
abundant reason FOR hope and reassur-&
ances. u Despair can arise only from a
conviction that the evil conditions which
affltct us are proof Of the decadence or
destruction Of those saving traits OF our
normal disposition, upon which our free
institutions must depend for their benefit
ccnce and perpetuity 81.
Resist Gloomy F orebodings.
IN discussing q the significance of the;
| hntownrd appearances forced upon our.
view we should resist the influence Of
| gloomy forebodngs, and at the same
| tirne guard against the instructive and
|complacent notion that American instt-s
tutions have endured long enough; to.
dem onstrate that neither , assault from
without nor malignant disease within
can defeat tho experiment OF popular
rule. Though q coloring may be given
1.-The discussion by our moods and tenn
ornamental ordinations, 1t Us certain
THAT useful results will not be reached
4 IL either light-headed6op optimism or 1nelan- 5
1 oholy pessimism Is in full command.
surely there is cloud higgerat han a.
4 man. s hand in our national sky, but
l this does not necessarily presage our de-
| struction by flood or storm. east OF all
should one be suspected of tolerating the
noxious weeds which choke the GROWTH
4 OF better things, or OF undertaking 8theirE
4 balefulness, IL he claims that American
character is as yet{untouched by decay,
4 ana IL still a safe guide for those who
/ are willing to be safely led Ss.
4 United States Senator's and Represent
i tatiyes In Congress, who. relying on the
i hose ideas Of honesty pervadng their
environment. have betrayed the trust of
i the people, find that no perverted senti-
4 ment and no disguise 5or dazzle OF high
4 position avails to save them from the
fate OF common malefactors. Those also
/ who, while ent tusted with am portan
| duties in the executive branches OF gov
eminent, national and state nav. tu n,et.
| advantage OF easy opportunity to filchs
| 5nublic funds or have lent themselves to q
! the differing schemes Of others. woefuly
4 realize behind prison bars and I'M the
! depths Of irredeemable disgrace, that
! American justice and decent american
sentiment are no more ready to con q
i done stealing from the PUBIC SthaH from
an individual, 81
Offenses against the poll tlcal rights Of
the people, involving the corruption OF
| their suffrage and the sale In places high \
and low OF official patronage and favor,
are overtaken by exposure and PUNISH
ment ii every part Of thu land. Many
who have indl,lged In these crimes, im-
pudently assuming that the unlYersallty
OF our Indifference to political affairs and
public administration gives promise II OF
| immunity have OF late had a rude q wax
ening to the3fact that an easy going dis
use OF political privileges by honest CIT
lzens fall far short of n Willingness on
their mart to overlook or tolerate q vile
80 q, = ~, WI &c or mn abominnble barterinE
oway of the peoples interests In places
OF trust,
Life Insurance Exposures.
A startling exposure lately made Of the
recl,less management OF some OF our lead
Ing life insurance companies has not only
laid bare overt acts Of wrongdolng, put
has made public In ugly relief an aston
lshing heedlessness and disregard q tIe
duties OF trusteeship. SeachlnE lnVestl-
olren DIV resulted In the restitution OF iaFsc
sums rightfully belonging to ono or THESE
companies, and nearly all who We're dlrec-
tors n I the time the misfeasnnce occurred
have been summoned into court TO give
account of their stewardship,
The recital thus made, showing hctlv,its
md certainty Of pulshmehl, eo .us.,"i,
md restitution. where SPECIFIC Wronslul
acts have affected the public. or other
,v,dalv extended interests furnishes pies
non+ evidence that no adverse cohu!tp.is
. n"Ms tar developed have weakened the
strength and residence OF A'nes'e"t'
character 4, o,,r schools |
ona colleges are. by their lives OF scil
sonr, cling and conscientious devotion "
the cause Of education, making u.'ie
hitting protest against prevailing sel'1sn-
ness and avarice. and are, by eAulhp'e
ns we'll as precept. teaching the young
men of our generation me WORTH ~
patriotism and intellectual llying, hs
against tho sordidness and soul-nilgh' "
constituencies accumulation,
IRON many thousand pulplts through
out the land Is cense.essly enforced the
Inspired assurance, tbetter Is llttle
with righteousness than great revenues
without right accompanied by solemn
warnings against the coyetousness and
sinful intent which disregard the moral
law and violate tho golden rule,
The extent md acceptance Of these
truths and warnings give encouragement
and assurance that the worship Of the
rolden calf Is by no means Dangerously
UNIVERSAL 1t was only very lately that
those interested In the spread fNthe gos-
nel In heather lands engaged In u spirited
discussion, touching the proprlety and
consistency of accepting In aid ofEther
work a contribution from funds acquired
by questionable business methods, II il