Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-09-30

roApufatlNee. Nhefe Ntft lhtiI tVi
scienees7 And this is not an isolated
case. President Roosevelt in a recent
speech pointed out that in every city
able lawyers are found who spend their
time preparing schemes for the plum
dering Of the public. And each one
Of these lawyers at some time in his
life decided to substitute the love Of
money for the law Of conscience. If
the lawyers Of the United States would
refuse to prostitute their brains to the
service Of predatory wealth, 1t would
not be long before exploitation would
cease.
Besides those who make business
Of furnishing legal assistance regard
less Of moral considerations, there is
another group Of lawyers to which
those belong who act as lobbyists for
corporate interests. At every state
capitol there will be found lawyers Of
greaer or less prominence who look
after the distribution of funds or IA.
vors, intended to eorruptly influence
the legislators. At Washington there
is an unusual number of these, some
Of them adding the distinction Of for
mer public service to legal qualifea-
tions.
Editors and publishers are also to
be found in abundance, who. for pc
euniary considerations. make their
papers the champions Of those who will
pay for the service. Sometimes the
editorial page is put at the disposal Of
the corporations; sometimes only the
news and advertising columns are sold.
The promoters Of a public steal often
use the stock Of their corporation TO
bribe the newspapers. In nearly every
large city there are newspapers which
are paid TO fight municipal ownership
and 10 excuse and justify the practice
The practices OF the public franchise
corporations. Sometimes in a contest
between these franchise owners and
The public, nearly every important
laily is subsidized, and yet the people
have often triumphed in spite of the
Of these papers. But what
shall we say Of the code Of iournalis-
lie ethics that win tolerate this sale
" paper's influenced Even the adj
patronage has been known
o influence the editorial policy Of
'aper. II is not rare thing for an
ditor to refuse TO publish fact that
e knows TO be true, where the publi-
alton may array against him an in,
business interest.
College presidents and professors
AVE sometime been led TO make their
harmonize with the views
4 those from whom they expect, or
ave expected, endowments; and min
sters have at times kept silent upon
moral questions rather ieoparize the
contributions made by worldly.minded
'sw.holders. If tho city ministers
ondemned gambling upon the stock
xchauge and in the grain pit as siren
Iously as they condemn the smaller
nd less injurious forms Of gambling
would not take long TO put an end
q the speculation which vietimizes
raiders, ruins banks and drives so
many to suicide.
The desire 20 secure local distinc.
ion has led a multitude Of men and
yomeo to disregard their higher inter
sts In order 10 conform 10 customs
auctioned by the exclusive set. II
De teachings of Christ can be accept.
"a as rule of couduct-and what
'hristian can deny that they are the
.uly ule-how can the Christian jus
ifv a lavish expenditure ON fashiona-
Ne dress and extravagant entertain
nents, when the money is sorely need
"a 20 help the poor, the sick and the
distressed. There Is no more stony
,rouud upon which the words Of truth
ian FIN than that furnished by the
leart OF one who makes social dis
inction the aim Of life All OF the
'ure and tender emotions are stiaed
y the selfshness Of life devoted 10
personal display and social success.
IL is not necessary 20 elaborate the
Methods employed by those who put
'olitieal preferment above the inter
'sts OF the soul. In times past mon
irchs have not hesitated 10 take the
ife Of any possible heir 10 the throne,
nd ambitious generals have marched
o military eminenee through the blood
4 thousands, Even today we witness
he ruthless slaughter Of Russian peas
Iuts whose ofIense is that they claim
'oiee in the government under which
hey live, In republic, apd constitu-
ional mOuarchies where legislative