The state herald., 1908-07-10

Come off! Why two of
that last bunch cleaned up thousand apiece be-
fore they walked the plank
We'll. it's new deal. No side issues for me.
Just the little old four thou That's ALL
why. you amt honest, you, Jack?'
We'll. never had Honest John tackled onto
me for handicap. but l don't want to go along
the street looking back to If anyone's following
me-"
But those fellows are alive and well today and
the statute of limitations has on EN-"
Yes. maybe; but It would be Just my luck to
get snaked.' My tailor says stripes are unbecoming
on tall men. anyway"
You're foolish. Jack
"A regular lobster, Billy; but when I'm let out
l want to sleep nights. without listening for some
one TO ring the doorbell and ask how about it?'
The foregoing conversation is verbally n correct
transcript between apponee TO n city Office and
political acquaintance. the well-known and almost
"dsbarred" attorney, the Hon. William "Skiphis
name" 1t occurred just written down. and is
merely given to illustrate the general idea prev
alent among the crooked. the crafty and the
scrupulous that public office was private snap"
The salary supposed to be merely expense
money for being in the political game; the real
money" was to be gotten out Of side deals
schemes where the official was to use his influence
Snd his opportunities to get into something good
whereby for favors either directly or indirectly
granted he got what is known sometimes his
'rake-of" or his bit"
II he was in n position where contracts to
be let "to the lowest bidder" 1t was his business.
II CRATER to that his man" was the low.
est bidder, to have combination" among the
bidders that the contracts would be divided
among two or three favored firms or individuals:
to work In some one sub contractor. In
various ways get a finger in the pie so that he
could "hop up somebody for "A divvy." Where
individual officials had the entire control OF their
Offices, their opportunities for graft" were. OF
course, extensive: where officials coassociated
In city work. there had to be either complete and
general understanding TO crooked work."
there might be underhaisi work by one or two
men which was hidden from the rest.
The public had weird and unique ideas about
graft" The fact that grating carried ON
In city hall and city departments to n greater or
less extent during every political administration
was fact that undenlable. Sometimes ad
ministration especially corrupt; sometimes the
administration headed by man who even
by his btterost enemies acknowledged 10 be strict
~ honest. But as no one man could oversee the
ns and outs OF every department In the city. there
was bound to be some grating" however petty.
somewhere In the various Offices or departments.
But the public generally seemed TO be OF the opn
ion that the instant man was appointed or elect
cd to Office his entire nature changed, The people
imagined, apparently that business man whose
Integrity through many years. had never been
questioned became crooked the instant ho took
the oath of Office. And because OF this, the most
insulting and beious statements were being ban
died back and forth by irresponsible parties con
corning men who were honestly and conHolentionsy
doing their duty In public Offices.
Citizens who appropriated without any legal right
the sidewalks In front OF their stores for shipping
purposes-mcn who would follow ap alderman for
weeks In order TO get n bay.window put In n down
town shop contrary to the ordinances. people who
hung abou, the city hall from dawn to twilight try
ing TO get n railroad pass would enter public
Office with the nir OF Daniel going down the eloya
tor Into the lions den. And II question was asked
them when they stated their buainene. they always
imagined Il had n hint OF graft In H. Well. now.
ic, me tell you: These folks that are always scent
ing graft" In every public Office and oinoer-theae
Holy wilion' that assume such an "unco gnid"
mir they often the people that viii bear watch
inf themselves
The fact OF the matter was that that real graft
wna handled by mon who worked II 80 that nearly
always Il was entirely legal In the strict letter
OF the law. moaalcy nvc or ten.doar bill handed
here and there for some favor was mere bagateilc
And rs for graft In politics. the legislatures OF the
various atntoa are aa mighty universities to kin
dorrnrions compared to city administrations. Az
for the United States aena,e-but that In the king
row on the political checker board. and not a mat
Tor for comment In this article.
Money In tho cheapest and least dangerous form
Of graft" mean money that buys fayofa. bfibes.
I'm n word uig graft concerns itself with shares,
natocb" "intereHts'-thinss that cannot be traced
so easily corrupt sources Dis sfaftefs are afraid
of cold cash They want something that can be