The independent., 1905-08-24
FREE PASS BRIBERY

With reference to Governor Folks denur
iation of free transportation used by public of
ials the Chicago Tribune has this to say:
1t is a curious American spectacle-this
widespread, open, acknowledged distribution
of transportation passes to public oi1clalS OF
all grades and their friends, for the obvious
and admitted purpose of influencing leglsla-
tive, executive, and judicial action. The dis
tribution reaches from United States con-
gressmen even to the clerks, stenOgraphers,
and marshals of United States courts, and
from the state capitol to local governing au-
thorities. 1t includes the transcontinental
railway, the steamship, and even the electric
car. Its corrupting force is subtle and far
reaching The Injustice of the practice-the
fact that it means class of favorites whose
travelling expenses are ultimately added TO
those of bona fde passengers one OF It's
evils. That it Injuries it's benefciaries NOR
ally is another. That it prejudices the pubic
in all relations between government and
transportation companies is third evil
Most fundamental of all, however, is the fact
that the practice constitutes system of petty
graft. which permeates and pollutes to
greater or less degree the whole field OF pub
lie action. Congressman draw mileage from
the government, and then travel on free
passes from the railroads. These congress
men-first compromised in their own con-
are scarcely in a favorable position for holding
the even tenor of rectitude when dealing
with these same railroads A legislator rides
to and from the state capital every week
during the session as the guest" of rail-
road company. Is he altogether likely to
bring an unprejudiced mind to the considera-
tion of questions affecting that company?
The dsgraceful effect of passes upon legisla-
tive bodies has been SO notorious as to pro-
woke anti-DaSS laws in several states. Wis
consin has such a law, although it was only
secured after severe struggle and after the
exhibition of discreditable conditions. Yet in
various states legislators boldly refuse to
favor or permit the adoption of such a law.
Some attempts for an anti-pass law have been
made at Springfield, but without result. At
the same time there have been evidences of
new standard of conduct on the subject
among at least a few Illinois legislators.
When, for example, the resolution for an in
vestigatiOn of the percentage payments to
the state by the Illinois Central railroad COM
pany was pending in the house during the
last session, two or three representatives re-
turned their passes. The real intent OF the
practice of giving passes was dramatically
shown a little later in the same session, when
certain other representatives who had favored
this resolution were promptly refused con-
tinuance of their passes. railroad COM
pany must maintain discipline among its
benefcaries even though in SO doing it
makes an embarrassing confession. 1t will
be a cause of wonder to the future historian
that a selfrespecting people should have al
lowed this pass evil to persist year after
year and decade after decade, when it's cor
rupting purpose and effect were recognized
and admitted. Governor Folk does we'll to
attack it, and if more governors did like
wise it's life would be shortened.