The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-03-12
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.


Milton Bryan IN Tecumsch standard)
(The widespread ocicisl corruption,
so prevalent throughout our country,
must arouse in tho mind of every In
telligent and patriotic citizen serious
alarm for the safety. as well as The
wise and benefcent conduct OF our
The natural result OF
this fiagrant disregard of official duty
and civic virtue is seen in a growing
dlstrust and discomfort on the part OF
the PEOPLE. Heretofore. the occasional
charge Of bribery against a state legis-
lator or city alderman, or OF embez-
element against state treasurer,
merely serves to remind us that all
men are not able to withstand the
temptations which sometimes come &c
public officials; but now, that the
shameful spectacle of United States
senator's and congressman appearing
las defendants in the prosecutions for
bribery and conspiracy has been of al
most common accurancc. state legis.
lators and city aldermen regarded as
easy prey for the bribe-giying corrup
ZIONIST. we are forced to conclude eth
er that the American people arc gen
orally dishonest. or thar they are pc
culiarly unfortunate in their selection
CT men for public Office who are not
exponents of public integrity and
virtue The latter appears to be the
most logical, as well as the most hope
full conclusion to be reached in the
premises. If this be true, such an ONO
lous conditions must arise from one OF
more OF the following causes:
l. That the people are Incompetent
to select men who viii honestly se-v'
them when there are many worthy o
tho trust
3 That the people are too inIif
ferent to their public interest to pro
tect ami subserve the same by du,
exercise OF the franchise.
3. Thai the method whereby mel
are selected for public office is $,
detective as to allow frequent defea
Of the public win by designing. selfisi
politicians.
Since il. would appear ridiculous t.
consider seriously the first name,
cause. and by confezsing degree O
pessimism wholly unwarranted We
must rely upon the second and thir
to furnish the true cause for the pres
ent unwholesome condition of our pol
tical affairs; and as it would seeI
!, that the second should be regarded a
only auxiliary to the third. We az
brought to the conclusion that th
= prime cause OF so much official co
: ruption throughout our country toda
, IS to be found in the method OF part
selection or nomination for ofiC
, which allows fraud and corruption
ignore the public choice. defeat Il
I public will and shame the public co
$ science.
Q II would be as unjust as It is untrI
r to say that there are not competel
5 and honorable men to be found in 2
q political parties, who are known
the people for their integrity and 10
+ atty to the public veal 1t is u
= reasonable to say that, If left to the
j. unhindered choice. the people wou
e not select their candidates such
+ their fellow citizens as they know
] be fit and worthy The masses of Il
+ people are more interested in secu
}. ing from a public Official competel
] and honorable services than they al
g in conferlng upon the individual a pc
{ sonal benefit, and for that rea@on the
4 win invariably choose their canC
= dates for public Office. men who al
, well known for their competency az
2 integrity, unless prevented by dece
T. tion and fraud The masses Of Il
2 people can have no interest in confli
] with the government for they al
1 the goyernment-but to the individu
S who seeks office. or the delegate che
+ en- to act for the people in the nomin
b tion Of candidates for office the ca
; may be different The delegate
personal advantage might, under &C