The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-15
NOT LIKE CAESARS WIFE

NOT LIKE CAESARS WIFE
One of the most remarkable political
revelations of our time comes from
Albany. We do not recall seeing any
where so bald and unblushing a state
ment Of the low tone of political NOR
ais prevailing. We rehearse the cir
cumstances detailed by the news dis
patches because they speak for them
selves more strongly than any COM
ment could
The charge was made that corrup-
ton fund had been raised by the State
Liquor Dealers association to influence
legislators. It was testified and estab-
lished by abundant evidence that the
association had raised a fund of $23,-
000.- 1t was proved that large part
of this sum had been spent entertain
ing senator's and assemblymen at a
public hotel in Albany. Evidence was
produced showing that huge bills Of
members of the legislature had been
paid by the association. It was in evi-
dence that the agent Of the association
furnished. money to the members with
which to gamble in the pool rooms
These are the facts established with
out apparent contradiction.
Now for the conclusion. 1t is so
amazing, and yet so in keeping with
the moral sense Of politicians in the
great -commonwealths of the East, that
we must quote it entire: "The pre-
sentiment proved a great disappoint-
ment to those expecting sensational
exposure of legislative corruption. The
only fact conclusively shown is that
upward of $4,000 was raised and that
some Of the money was spent in the
entertainment of legislators. 1t is not
official action of any kind resulted.
Gov Higgins exonerated the public Off
GERS referred to of any promises or
official action Influenced by the pres
ence of the saloonkeepers' committee or
the expenditure of money. He receives
the presentment, he says, rather as
calling attention to defects in the pres
ent law and says that the practice
should be suppressed of raising funds
for the alleged purpose of corrupting
or improperly Influencing public off,
cials, or influencing legislation or ad-
ministration through the agency Of ir-
responsible individuals or committees"
Was ever language more impudently
ironical? Members of the legislature
permit their hotel bills to be paid and
accept a gambling fund from the agent
of private association, and this when
shown proves great disappointment
to those expecting a sensational ex-
posure Of legislative corruption" !"
Everything falls to the ground because,
forsooth, 'it is not alleged or shown
that legislative or official action of any
| kind resulted" The governor of the
state receives this presentment as "ex-
| oneration" Of the public officials re-
ferred to. Apparently he would not
| have noticed it at all, except that he
| thinks that it shows the need Of fur
| ther legislation to prevent some evil
minded person corrupting legislators in
| the future along the lines which he as
sumes to have been ineffectual for the
present.
| What can be expected in any COM
munity where such a moral standard
prevails and where the man who holds
it is not kicked out of office inconti-
nently? What would be thought of a
| judge upon the bench who publicly re-
ceived large sums of money from pow
lerful interests and justified himself by
| the plea that these had at the time no
cases pending before him? What is to
be thought of legislator who accepts
money from interests known to be vi
tally concerned in legislation on the
ground that no immediate promise or
| performance was required of him
What can such man think of him
self? Would not any boodler who de-