Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1905-07-19

, RrNGN ham News, has taken is interesting
y. TO thousands Of people all over
.AA M America who tympathze with the
1-sSS@S efforts Of the mayor Of any Ameri-
- can city who is honestly striving
TO rid the municipal government OF public parasites
organized into political gang to defy the laws and
escape iustice. Mayor Weaver made up bic mind
to prosecute the graiteTs. He is supported by
strong, though much delayed public sentiment
among business men Of that city to drive ont the
municipal crooks. In the absence Of what good
many people Of Philadelphia think to be proper CO.
operation on the part Of the district attorney who
refused TO take the initiative in bringing furtheK
prosecutions against members OF the gang, Mayor
Weaver called in the assistance Of able counsel for
advice, and also avaed himself Of the counsel OF
business men who are working to drive ont the
grafteTs. There is every reason 20 beeVe that
much grating has been going in connection with
large contracts for the city's big filtration plant
which involves the expenditure Of millions Of dol
lars. These contracts largely controlled by
members Of the political machine which has done
so much to disgrace the city Of Philadelphia, aud
Mayor Weaver has gone after the suspects in ear
nest
In conference in New York last Friday Che stu
alton was considered by Mayor Weaver and special
COUNSEL among whom was Hon. Elihu Root As
result Uf this conference Mr. Root has written
Mayor weaver most encouraging letter, COM
mending him for the stand be took against the
krafers and advising him that it was not only legal
/
that it was bis duty the official head OF the city
to protect the citizens against the scamps who are
robbing them Mr.. Root takes g broad and patri-
otc position, and expresses the hope that Mayor
Weayer's Efforts against the criminal combinations
- Fhiladelphia WillpE0ve sUceassfBl part Of
his letter is we'll worth reading. Note what he
says
"It is your duty as mayor OF the city to see that
the laws are enforced and when yon find that thew
are being set at naught by criminal combinations it
fc dufu fo hrfu
the officer who is elected by the people to prosecute
crime, and it then becomes h.s duty to prosecute
aud not yours.
81 do not think, huwever, that this settles the
question as to your future action. Although the
law does not require you to prosecute il Dermits
you to do up to the point where the reu-n Of the
magistrate goes into the hands OF the district at
tOrney.
~ think thai in default of the action which ought
to be takensby the public prosecutor, the great in
terests which you have undertaken to subserve de-
mand that you should nevertheless exercise vOur
right to go before magistrate ana carry these pros
ecntions as far as the law permits you to do
"Cumes committed by men who have political
power are often altered behind official indifference
and inactivity, and then someone has to do more
than their duty to secure Justice, and you will not
be the first public officer who has done great pub
lie service against the resistance Of those from wnom
the evidence ought to come. There is more al stake
here than the mere punishment OF isolated ofIenses
There Is the question whether Your city shall con-
hnue to be governed by criminals OF shall take its
place on the list Of American cities capable Of hon
est selfgovernment. To secure The right solution
Of this que tiOn yOn cannot omit any proper and
lawful effort"
lt Is unQuestiOnably true, as Mr. Root SAYS that
'someOne has TO do more than bis duty to secure
Justice" Official indifference and inactivity often
throw the burden upon someone who is willing TO
90 more than his share ia cleaning up city, and It
Is matter Of Importance, therefore, when such q
man is found, who has the public spirit and patriot
Ism to assume the burdens Of others, in this work he
should receive the encouragement, support and CO.
operation Of every honest and Law abiding citizen in
the community, who owes him at least that much
for doing what they have neglected TO do
>-u@
Secretary shaw is as expert predictor as aDy il
Secretary Wilson'S bureau OF statistics. he fell
down paltry $1,000 900 in his deficit figures.
Now, forty years after the civil war, there are
994 4s2 persons drawing pensions from the govern
ment. Pensioners evidently outIive anybody.
Gov. Vardaman's words Of warning aud admoni
ton to those who charged with the enforcement
Of the Law have dreadful significance.
And nov they ere quarreling over poor Pop
D1dge's false teeth Any old thing win make q sen.
sation in New York
King Oscar has told Kaiser Bill eli about il. Now
Norway had better watch ont.
Who vii move to increase tie salaries oi officials