The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1905-01-29
Especial Washington letter.

lSpeCldl w dSnlnStOn Letter.
OVERNOR JOSEPH WIN
n GATE FOLK of Missouri en-
81 joys a most enviable position
and a most enviabe reputa-
ton, The reputation gave him the
position. 1t, is a great honor. especial
~ at his time Of life, to be chief magis-
trate Of imperial Missouri and to have
achieved that station by faithful and
vigorous discharge of official duties in
another office. Already many persons
are thinking. speaking and writing Of
Governor Folk as possible president
in 1908. Far stranger things have hap
pened. To large extent he holds his
destiny in his own hands.
In his inaugural he made one sug-
gestion which has attracted much at,
tention and which is well worthy of
consideration. 1t is this
The state is entitled to have each citizen
vote in order that the result of the cleo
tons may be the just sentiment of the
people of this state. 1t would seem to be
only just that those who do not prize this
privilege enough to exercise it ought to
forfeit it. The knowledge that failure to
vote would disfranchise them and make
them political eunuchs would bring home
to them a realization of it's supreme value.
When corporation obtains franchise it
is forfeited by nonuse. Apply this prin-
cfple to the privilege of voting and it will
do more than anything else to remedy
the evil Of civic Indifference that Is the
weakness Of a republican form of govern.
ment.
Does that jar you? Is there any
thing unreasonable in it? Did our
Revolutionary fathers fight and bleed
and die that we might stay at home on
election day and neglect our duties?
No. On the contrary, they fought and
bled and died that we might have an
election day, and we requite their, eff
forts and repay their sufferings in q
very shabby manner when we fail to
vote.
On the subject of corruption Gov
ernor Folk said:
I have never known legislator to be-
come corrupt deliberately; his intentions
In the beginning are usually good. The
moral collapse generally begins through
the seductive siren songs Of past masters
in the art of corruption.
The legislator who sells his vote traf1cs
in the honor of sovereign people and
prostitutes the trust reposed in him.
There can be no offense which, II allowed
to 80 on. is fraught with graver conse-
Quences. It 10 more fatal to civic life than
any other crime for 1t pollutss the stream
OF law at its source ~-
n In order to aid in the Investigation of
rumors OF corruption laws should be en-
acted compelling witnesses to testify as
to their knowledge OF bribery transactions
and axempting such witnesses from prose-
cution for any matters directly or indi-
rectiy growing out Of such testimony.
In investigating legislative corruption
It has been my experience that the first
step a legislator takes toward bribery, as
. rule, is the acceptance OF railroad pass.
The maintenance of a professional lobby
breeds corruption Ind should not be per-
mttted. Professional lobbying should be
made q crime. ~ e-a |
These sentiments will be most heart
Ily Endorsed by honest men everywhere
and of all parties. People will watch |
with intense interest to see IL the gov
ernor can enforce his reform ideas.