The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-09-08

considered very pertinent question to
be considered by farmers clubs and
other organizations. 1t is one of our
greatest evils and is menance to our
body polite and country. Graft
means to attach to healthy plant
Grafters in politics attach themselves
and always take illegally, boldly asking
and demanding money, ETC., for no SER
vice rendered. Highway robbers are
better for they haye the merit of BRAY.
cry and to say the least give their vic
Tins chance to fight To swap ones
vote is graft and is commonly resorted
to in political conventions where whole
sale shifting of votes is common. Free
street car fare, free telephone and free
railroad passes is graft in that some
thing is expected in return. The evil
OF the grating business makes me a
strong advocate of primary reform be-
cause it hits hardest the man who is
after graft money.
Party leaders are in co-hoots under
our system and swap the voters back
and forth always to gain some ill-got-
ten, unscruplous end. Such men con-
troll not only our taxes but public
morals as well. A CRATER is always
after the largest sum which is general
ly forth coming from the wrong and
corrupt side. Good government gives
the people what they want and too at
the least cost. Do not support men
who are always clamoring for Office.
The man who is too busy is the man
you want He will say get John Doe,
but he is the very man you do not want
One justice of the peace in this county
committed 169 men to the county Jail
in three months this year for being dis
orderly and drunk which cost at the
rate of SOC per day making an enormous
county expense. The sheriffs bill for
board the first three months of 1905
was nearly $250O Such bills raise the
taxes, help no one but the man who
gets the fees and allows the greatest
offender to go free,
Mr. Parkill told of the manner in
which Sunday base ball was prevented
in Owosso and complimented the sheriff
in the firm stand he took against Sun
day ball playing. One CRATER even
told the sheriff if he enforced the law
he would never be reelected To
which Mr.. Jarrad replied II am to hold
Office two years and shall be sheriff un-
till my term expires. Men do not
prosper who do not observe
the seventh day, neither will ma
tions. France tried it and her govern
ment went to pieces in seven years.
In Owosso dozens of men have lived
off the city without holding office,
The conditions in larger cities are
awful and rarely is any city found to be
free. Slot machines and questionable
houses run in open defiance of the law
The mayor took a fling at the supervis-
ors for increasing the cost of the coun-
ty building from $4,000 to probably
$135000 or more which sum it will
doubtlessly exceed before completed.
Many supervisors too. goover to Corun-
ma to attend meeting of the board, and
report, then go home charging full
pay. There are two ways in which to
kill the CRATER, expose him to the pub
lie or change our method of placing
men in Office.
Senator Cook asked concerning the
municipal court law and why it was
not making a better record Mr.. Par
kill replied that he did not know what
the reason was but the facts were the
municipal justice did not turn in
enough fees to half pay his salary Which
was true likewise Of under officials.
Thought the matter might be looked
after shortly. The mayors talk from
start to finish was a revelation of exist.
ing eyils now so obviously evident in
our politics.
During the afternoon Misses Vera
Richardson, Annie Osborn, Gladys
Whelan and Mr.. Claud Martin, with
Miss Alta Snyder accompanist, furnish
the club with excellent music which
was most heartily enjoyed. The
meeting then adjourned to the lawn
where the usual good supper was
served.
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