Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-12-22
GRATING is NOT NEW.
Is a Practice hoary With Ass-Story Of Eds'
HAS Always Been Short.
BY BYRON MILLETT.

Has Always Been Short.
By BYRON MILLETT.
The late exposures regarding graft.
ing In high financial circles, among a
large coterie OF parasites connected
with the transactions OF three promi.
nent life insurance companies, have
prompted much criticism among all
classes OF people throughout the length
and breadth OF this country. Many
we'll meaning individuals, inclined to
be more or less pessimistic, have ex-
claimed, that there is at the presen
time more corruption in public and
private life, than was ever known at
any previous time in the history OF
our nation. The fact of the matter il,
we have now, through the mediums of
the press aud telegraph, better and
greater facilities for uncOvering fraud
and graft than our foreiathers pos.
sessed. Their opportunities were more
limited, but their disposition to graft
and Doodle was just rs pronounced as
that OF the men living in our day and
generation. FalsehoUd and fraud rest.
ing upon shaky foundation, must per-
force frequently shift their ground, in
order to appear under different mask.
Cupidity restrained by laws, only be.
come more artful but not less active.
The graft germ, from the remOtest
antiquity has existed in the social
organism. Its history is chiseled in
the walls of the pyramids of Egypt.
Graft was her desth-song, when TWO
per cent. of the people owned all OF the
nations land and wealth, and ninety
eight per cent. owned none, were ten
ants and slaves. The history of
Egypt, in this respect, was repeated
in the annals Of Babylonia and Medo,
Persia, the ruins of those great en-
pires have long since become mingled
with the dust, save here and there q
few tell.tale relics and records have
been unearthed verifying the claims of
the ancient historians, in that regard.
In Sparta, according to one OF the
laws of Lycurgus, it became necessary
to use iron money in order to curb
bribery. The rulers Of Athens could
not Withstand the gifts of neighbor
ing States; many Of her prominent
lawyers accepted retainers from both
parties to q law suit. Such practice
did not seem to be regarded with dis
favor by her learned men, or by the
common people.
Did not Christ drive the money
changers out OF the temple aud upset
their tables? Even Judas, one of the
twelve Apostles was unable to resist
the temptation, when shown the shin
ing metal. Paul went to Ephesus to
pr, ach the gospel and found the silver
smiths arrsyed against him. They had
a graft in making metal idols, termed
household gods, for the Ephesians,
and exclaimed Indignantly: "Great is
Diana OF the Ephesians." These metal
workers felt their material interests
were menaced.
In Rome, under the republic and
the empire, corruption and gratis
were of the most scandalizing charac-
ter. Cicero complained of the corrup.
ton of the judiciary, and the venality
Of legislators. In the days of Con-
stantine, they we're not only gratis in
the affairs OF State, but in the church.
Prelates, high in authority, bartered
their influence in consideration of
money, privileges and iInmunities.
Arius q shining example of honesty.
was not to be brow.beaten; conse-
quently was hunted to his death.
Such corruption and graft prevailed
long before capitalism, as we now un.
derstand the term, got . foothold.
The annals of the British Isles and
the countries of continental Europe,
are one long history of public and
private gratis. The scandals of the
East India company recorded in Eng.
lish history, are too familiar, even to
school boys and girls. In Germany,
it is probable, there is less corruption
in governmental affairs than in any
other European country, because if
offenders are discovered, they are pun
ished severely. That country, how.
ever. can make an equation in the
matter OF nepotism. "For whereso.
ever the CARCASS is, there will the
eagles be gathered together"
In modern times Russia furnishes
the most pronounced example of gov.
ernmental corruption. The system Of
graft in that unfortunate country
pervades every department Of state
from the petty custom-house official
up to the imperial household. the
burdens Of the people have become
intolerable, the great empire is now
tottering to it's fall.
Undoubtedly some countries have
degeuerated from the standard they
attained ct certain epochs, but there
has never been an instance OF ret
repression from perfection. The story
OF Eden is short. Coming now to
q brief consideration OF the history
of this country, what do We find? A
few illustrations will suffice to explain
our position that the good old times
were the bad old times. John Adams,
in 1776, afterwards second President
of the United States, wrote that cor
ruption was everywhere rampant, that
dishonesty and bad faith had become
the order of the day. The most OF us
have read or heard about the cedar
hams and wooden nutmegs manu- fac.
tured and sold by some Of the Con-
necticut Yankees. In Jefferson's time
the Federalists commended the country
was going to the dogs; during the
administration of jackson, the Wings
knew it was ruined. Many scandals
attended the prosecution OF the Mexi.
can war. Dishonesty with regard to
the circulation of wildcat money and
fraudulent banking had become scan.
dalous prior to the war of the rebellion.
From all indications it would seem
that the American people are awaken.
ing from long hypnotic sleep relative
to this subject of graft, that this
practice will, from now on, become
more unpopular in both public and
private life, than At any former period
in American history. Otherwise ouI
institutions and very civilization are
threatened to the death. We are moi
prepared for, and do not expect any
such collapse. True there are break.