Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-22
THE ROOT OF GRAFT

Fix the responsibility for the graft
ed legislature that misrepresents cali
fornia at Sacramento, but Ak 1t right.
Machine politicians are blamable for
liking conventions, causing the NOM
ination Of machine candidates; voters
are blamable for casting their ballots
IN favor Of such candidates, and the
large percentage of voters who stay
away from the polls are blamable there
for.
But the root of responsibility lies
deeper. Why are machine politicians
able to control conventions; why do
voters cast their ballots for unworthy
candidates; why do so many voters
fail to go to the polls?
Because, primarily, the class of men
who ought to be leaders In the cause
of civic righteousness are unwilling to
do their duty to the state, to the COM
munity in which they live, and to their
own families and themselves as we'll
what can we expect Of the result of
an election, for Legislators or any other
class OF officials when the average
voter says to himself. as he scans the
rival tickets, ITS Hobson's choice"
And because 1t is equivalent to a toss
up for choice" there is so little popular
interest In our elections that nearly
half the voters, as shown at the last
election, will not take the trouble to
go to the polls.
IN attempting electoral reform it is
important to strike directly at the root
OF evils that are in evidence only
above the surface. In order to inspire
intensive interest In an election tho
idea of "Hobsons choice" or a "toss
up must be banished from the mind
OF the voter. There must be sufficient
lnducement, Also to arouse the dor
mant stay-at-home voter to the i'm
portance of going to the polls.
In brief, 1t is folly to hope for
graftless Legislature or for the best
results in choosing other elective Of
ficials until the right class of citizens
consent to stand as candidates. BY
the right class is meant citizens of the
highest repute. of unimpeachable
character, of acknowledged capability.
of recognized standing and influence
and of proven devotion to the best in
terests of the community.
There are plenty of men in Los An
geles who measure up to that stand
ard of qualification for the position of
legislator or any other public office.
The average voter can name scores of
such men. Put the names of that class
of men on the election tickets and it
will not be "Hobson's choice" for the
voter nor will the stay-at-home think
it mot worth while" to go to the polls |
But there's the rub'-to induce cit
izens of the right class to enter the |
political arena. Politics is distastefu
to them and association with politi-
clans is repugnant. Nevertheless they
owe duty to their fellow men that
should take precedence of personal
likes or dislikes in respect to public
service. Such men owe their enviable
position in great measure to the COM
munity in which they have prospered |
and they are under lasting obligation |
to render such service as opportunity |
may offer.
When the class of citizens referred
to consent to represent the people in
the legislature and in other public
places, then, and not until then, may
we expect the millennial signs indi-
Gated by a graftless legislature and
fidelity to public interests in all other
official positions.
The men who are recognized as the
foremost and best citizens of Los An
geles are thus primarily responsible for
grating and other official Delinquent
cies.