The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1906-07-26
P~uritanical Severity the. Only
Exterminator Of Graft

This indeed seemst to be a age of graft. We find it in the most unexpected
places md under most despicable circumstances 1t has been found necessary
% dHcontinu tn present plan of issuing supplies to the San Francisco fire sf
ferers because OF the graft and dishonesty which certain of the relief officials
Ia been guilty of. In our W state within the past few months the practice
Of graft has been revealed among the trusted public officials who handled the
school moneys in certain districts Graft seems almost to permeate or very
home an it is astounding to find upon investigation how deeply rooteda am
% long hat sheen its growth. 1t is like certain weeds which poster h farmer
and threaten the entire yield of his fields, or even of al entire farming district,
The growth and spread of the weed has not been spontaneous, but in thu be-
ginning a tiny seed waited by the winds or carried by some other natural agency
settled in som favUeds spot and grew. Because of its insignifcance tn farmer
is deceived as to its dangers and it is allowed 20 grow and multiply until it
becomes a menace to the prosperity and yield of thousands Of acres 1t is thus
with the weed of graft which nov so seriously threatens the ideals of American
governmsn AM the stability of American institutions. Beginning with almost
nothing it has % become a part of our school systems, or charitable intitu-
tons inc las even penetrated or homes The clerk who uses his employers
stationery FOR private purposes in order % save the cost of buying am per
maps out little realizes that he is sowing the seeds of graft and its accompany
ing evils Graft in many cases has become SO hahiual that the perpetrator is
Almost unconscious Of the wrong. No doubt the confscation of portnns of pub
nc moneys by public servants was almost as natural a proceeding as the confsca.
ton OF . u employers stationery. Through habiual practice it has become a
ID as pertnaious and on filed with more dirfulc consequences than of
the vices to which nan is addicted Men who have always borne the best of rem.
ctaM ns for honesty nd integrity have fallen victims to the habit and the m
exposures hav left them objects of scorn and in SON instances yer has
paced tnm within the cophning walls o. prisons. Men occupying positions of
honor even to United States senator's, are included in the list.
Grat has slowly but surely become the extensive and deep rooted eil with
which We are no confronted. TITS origin is not recent; moi until the postoace
scandals o few months ago did we fully realize the extent of its growth
since then It has heen discovered to be in existence almost everywhere and 80
powerfully IMPLANTED among both our private and public institutions that only
the most healthy and rigorous public sentiment cal efectuary stamp it out.
IL rs a disease resulting from selfshness, and therefore to b successfully com.
D~ted I'M entire trend of public sentiment nus change. The prorlem affords
porunhi for the coming generation and will place the seeking If Office
and position within the possibilities of honesty and merit, even though wealth
be lacking