Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-06-30
MlscELLANEous REooRD.
The RIaIne Tlde of Reform

The Rising Tide OF Reform.
We know Of no more encouraging in
dication Of the extent Of anti-bribery
sentiment IN Delaware and Of the strength
Of tho popular tide that favors the free
dom Of future elections from the curse
Of suffrage corruption, than the remarks
made by Mr.. W W. Knowles Of this city
at the commencement exercises Of the
Delaware City public schools, on Tuesday
evening last. II was not because Mr..
Knowles denounced bribery and conup-
tion IN unsparing terms that we regard
his utterances as sweeping indication
Of the great progress Of the reform tide;
there never was q lack OF condemnation Of
tho evil since IL FIRST raised its hideous
head Ia Delaware. But it was what Mr..
Knowles said Of his tolerance Of the crime
in the past, and of his sternly expressed
determination, hereafter, TO use every
endcnvor within his power 70 prevent
vote buying and bring about the punish
ment Of the vote buyer, that indicates
a "new birth" IN our politics and tho
Inauguration Of an era Of election reform
along lines that clearly point the path
way 10 complete reformation.
~ say, and freely admit" said Mr.
Knowles "that have stood by and been
silent when all forms Of vote buying and
vote selling were going on, and at the
same time my voice should have been
vocal with speech, and while make
this honest confession, wish to say
here and now that every man, be he
Republican or Democrat, ofiiceholdor or
non-oiIcoholdor, Jew or Gentle, saint
or sinner, who has taken a reasonable in
tcrcst in tho politics Of this State during
the last eight or ten years, II he Is honest,
can make the same confession that now
make before you, II he will But in the
future no man shall put paddock on
my lips or restrain my actions ] win
do whatever conceive TO be my honest
conscientious duty in bringing about
reformation Of the political morals Of our
people and honestly ask for the good
OF cur country, and the honor and glory
of our State. that every man who casts
ballot In the coming campaign, and who
hopes and desires to see common decency
in future political elections, shall join the
anti-hnbery organization, and SEQ 20 it
with all the power at his command that
every man has right to vote, and wishes
to exercise that right, shall be permitted
TO do 50 without fear and without barter &"
Herein are found the assurances Of
victory In this spirit exists the forces
that win array themselves against the
tide Of corruption which has engulied
our elections and not only stay its progress
but arraign those who are responsible
for il AZ the bar of justice. II is not con-
ceivahle that Mr. Knowles stands solitary
and alone, in class by himself Il is
not conceivable that be is the only man
in Delaware who has seen votes bought
al elections without raising his voice in
condemnation of the criminal act or his
hand in punishment Of the wrongdoers.
There are hundreds of men like him in
Delaware, and who can doubt that among
them are those, who, even II they do
not emulate his example IN making public
confession Of past delinquency and public
announcement Of their determination to
do their full duty as righteous citizens in
the future, are equally resolved to do an
in their power hereafter to crush out an
evil which hitherto they have condoned.
These people viii make a splendid adj
iunct 70 the reform campaign Of the Anti
Bribery League Of Delaware. They viii
enroll themselves in its membership.
take a hand IN its active operations, con-
tribute their money and their efforts
in furtherance Of its work, and in every
way endeavor to make elections in this
State as clean in the future as they have
been corrupt ia the past.
Mr. Knowles is 70 be congratulated
upon bis manly public confession and
his righteous resolve. 70 demands cour-
age Of a high order for man OF standing
in the community TO make open admis-
sion that be has been guilty OF condoning
a horrible wrong committed in his pres
enee. When such man supplements his
confession with the announcement Of his
firm determination TO pursue a different
course in the future, the people know that
he means what he says. ID Is for this
reason that we look with such favor upon
Mr Knowles public declaration. and feel
sure that il represents a powerful senti-
ment which @in so strengthen the anti
bribery movement as to make it irwin
cible.