The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-12-07

ready in this territory In favor OF bet
ter politics. What has been the prevail
ing custom all over the country among
the machine politicians? A certain class
OF politicians have been reserved to do
things that ordinarily ,he reputable cit
izen refuses TO do. Again. certain
henchmen are retained by political Lead
ers 20 do things that even the politl-
clan tsometmes) would not do
Some time ago the writer OF this ar
ticle, in discussing politics with a po-
liticai leader IN the territory. called Mt
tcntion TO several we'll known hangers
on" In politics. and remarked that such
men not only corrupt politics but also
are menace to public service VIXEN
ever rewarded By appointment. The
politician replied that such men are alb
solutely necessary in politics. and .hat
without them no one could succeed. He
further said that whenever we nuke too
careful inquiry into tho morals Of the
political arena we ruin the entire game.
lie went further and said that the politl-
cal world had its shady side and that
shady n.rn had TO be employed to do
the work.
Another incident like In character 10
the preceding happened in connection
with the organization OF one Of the
houses OF an Oklahoma legislature. A
prominent politician was discussing with
a member the propriety Of placing a
shady henchman In an important posi-
tion. The member OF the assembly OBJ
jected, urgiHg that the henchman was
a CRATER and had never been known TO
fiji position In an honorobaie manner.
although through the fortune OF politics
he had occupied several places OF re-
sponsibility. The member was not a
little surprised to hear tho politician re-
ply: Il like a CRATER; you can use him
when you need him--just the Mad Of a
men we need In our business" The re-
suit was thet the henchman was given
a place. After hig services were over
he openly boasted that The pasture had
been good 'plckin'," and said he. Il
got quite a roll. quite a roll" The re-
port OF his stewardship was that he was
a CRATER. pure and simple" and
never let an opportunity to gather In the
lucre go by
Well how about the system7 The
persons who were responsible for their
hNA~hhHNn htHib III IiAt pusiAiot
knew Just what he would do II there
should be an opportunity for him to hold
out the "open hand" They know that
he was dishonest, corrupt. and that he
represented all that WAS vicious and
disreputable In politics,
This is a feature In the arena or
Oklahoma politics that should be and
win be eliminated When lobbyist be-
fore an Oklahoma Legislature IS afraid 20
receive his fee IN the territory, but
goes to Kansas city, beyond the juris-
diction Of the territory to get his
money there Is something wrong and
the system which allows Il Is wrong
The question might be asked. why
not punish such things by law7 rhe
answer IS. the tracks Of the wrong
doer are invariably so well covered that
evidence can seldom be procured TO pun
ish the offense. The act may be ap-
parent. yet not proven IA court The
only remedy Is 10 striks blow AZ the
root Of the evil and eliminate the sys-
tenn which allows ana fosters corrup-
tion in politics and public AFFAIRS.
The remedy Is with the people OF the
various political parties. They should
see that those who are entrusted with
party destiny and honor are above tho
low. vile things so often apparent in the
arena Of politics.