The Red Cloud chief., 1908-07-10

was the work Of political enemies or "a dis.
charged employe seeking revenge" A very fine
article OF rosy talk" was usually INDUCED In by
a CRATER" who was on the run"
Then, when he was finally indicted, his lawyers
would consent to tell what an outrage II was that
their client should be so prosecuted. All criminal
proceedings which seek to bring a CRATER" to
book are known by his lawyers as "man.hunts."
The big "grafters" friends flock to the court.
room, and quite frequently the utmost courtesy
is extended to him by officials high up in jail
circles; especially II he be of the same party AZ
the Jail officials. II he happens to be on the other
side OF the political fence, these courtesies are
omitted.
After a big CRATER Is convicted there Is the
usual appeal to the higher courts and a lot OF
skirmishing to keep him out OF the penitentiary,
but he gets there just the same. He may, after
serving a year OF his sentence, become so Ill
that he will have to be pardoned. II he has re.
turned part OF the money he stole, this Is a chance
not to be overlooked. But II he Is "stif. necked'
and Insists on hanging on to what he got. the
chances are not so favorable. Only a ridiculously
small percentage of the big "graftcrs'' have been
punished. Some of the biggest of them all have
absorbed their graft legally. But It was graft
nevertheless. On many, the statute of limitations
mas run and prosecution made impossible. But
1t is cheering to relate that grating is not quite
so fashionable as ii used to be by reason of these
prosecutions; and much as the 'reformer' has
been held up TO ridicule, it has been the reformer
ana the reform organizations that have made
grating" If not unpopular. at least dangerous.
Petty grating" can never be wholly stamped
out, as IL can be handed around by means of
presents, privileges. etc, in such a way that IL
cannot be traced so as to provide ground for
criminal prosecutions.
The technical term graft" while peculiarly
applied to politics, Is not confined to that sphere
only. BUSINESS, banking and railroad circles have
the disease. In city administrations the spot
where II IL liable TO make most insidious Roadway
Is In city councils. There ii may be found either
indirectly or directly apparent. And 1t is there,
after all, that IL Is most dangerous, because affect.
ing an entire city. II a public official steals from
his ofice, II is not such a direct injury to the
public man as the man who sells out to Jam a
franchise through a council.
And so, In the last analysis, the eyes OF the re.
formers and the citizens should be fixed steadily
on city councils. The best candidates for alder.
men are none too good; the salary should be
such that a man could give all of his time to the
work and be well and even handsomely paid. II
the public expects a man to give $4,000 worth
OF time In the city council for 5000 salary, they
are merely putting a premium on grating"
The day of the brazen CRATER has gone by.
The new regime Is making for better things. The
only way that grating can flourish nowadays
Is by having a city administration in full accord
with the most influential newspapers Of a city,
apply the graft legally, pocket the "rake.of,"
point to the statutes In such case made and pro.
vided,' and SO far as the public is concerned, 'lst
the CALLED jade vince"