The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-30
ER0M OTHER PENS
ARMY BOUNTY.

There apepars to be at least one seri-
GUS defect Of omission in the very pro-
per and 1audable provision made in a
preliminary way by congress for the
increase of the pay of the enlisted
force Of the army. In the latest sche-
dule of pay increase, Incorporated in
the army appropriation act, the boun-
ty for re-enhstment has been left out.
This represented. according to the most
liberal estimate. not much more than
100000 a year, and the availability of
such a fund means much in the way
of encouragement of soldiers to make
service with the military establishment
permanent occupation. This is a
direct and lasting source of military
efficiency. since it assures the army of
continuance in the military force of
individuals who not only are familiar
with the duties of a soldier, and who
are accustomed to the privations of the
service, but, as well, possess that rea-
sonable amount Of contentment with
surrounding conditions and future
prospects which is such a factor in
the fighting value of men. The in
crease in the pay of the soldier, con-
templated by legislation. which has so
far survived the scrutiny Of congress
and met with legislative approval is
little enough when measured by the
pay Of industrious, ambitious and use
full men in other branches of work.
Anything which adds to the compen-
sation Of the enlisted man Of the army
either in the form of an increase Of
monthly pay, or of continuous service
pay, or as a bounty upon re-enlistment
constitutes a prudent and lucrative
investment Of the public funds, destin-
ed to yield returns in the improvement
of our facilities of national offense and
defense.-Washipgto Herald.
THE PEOPLE TO BLAME.
If it be said that the common law
that Furnishes offenses Of the nature Of
the "crimen falsi'' is no longer effec-
tive it is tantamount to charging that
the people, the masses, are themselves
corrupt, that they condone felonies and
abet crime. Therein we suspect lies
the root of the business evil In Amer
ica There is a juryman. one of the
common people," who may be bribed.
There are jury fxers who may be
hired. There is an electorate who VIII
deliberately choose judges, governors
and the conclusion comes that there are
too many Of the people whose notions
Of obligation to the old-fashioned IN
depreciation Of the Eighth Command
ment are lax and loose. The nub OF
the problem Is that the difference be-
tween the plain man and the magnate
is too often a difference in brains and
training rather than in heart and mo-
tive. The proportion Of honest cor
porations to the whole number is per-
haps as great as is that Of honest
shopkeepers and craftsmen to their
whole number If there be corruption
in America threatening to undermine
the republic no man or band of men
have a monopoly Of it. and no reform
at the top can remove danger that
turks at the bottom. Therefore, when
the conscience of the country is stirred
and there is return to first princi-
pies of honesty and fair dealing among
all the peoples : corrupt jurors and
courts win not be conveniently near
to snatch from the hand of Justice the
weapons Of Justice, the law against
fraud and theft. which have been en-
cient for q Thousand years. me peo-
pie must protect NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Apolis NeWa