The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-07-23

was the work Of political enemies or "a dis
charged employee seeking revenge" very fine
article of rosy talk was usually INDUCED In by
a CRATER" who was on the rum"
Then, when he finally indicted, his lawyers
would consent to tell what outrage 1t was that
their client should be so prosecuted All criminal
proceedings which seek to bring CRATER to
book" are known by his lawyers as "man-hunts."
The big 'grafter's" 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 as
the jail officials. II he happens to be 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 lot Of
diminishing to keep him out OF the penitentiary,
but he gets there just the same. He may, after
serving year of his sentence become 80 Ill
that he will have to be pardoned. II he has re-
turned part of the money he stole, this is chance
not to be overlooked. But IL he is "stin-necked"
and insists on hanging to what he got, the
chances are not so favorable. Only ridiculously
small percentage Of the big "grafters' have been
punished. Some of the biggest of them all have
absorbed their graft legally. But It was graf"
nevertheless On many, the statute Of limitations
has run and prosecution made impossible. But
1t is cheering to relate that grating is not quite
so fashionable as 1t used to be by of these
prosecutions; and much the ''reformer' has
been held up to ridcule, 1t has been the reformer
and the reform organizations that have made
grating. If not unpopular, at least dangerous.
Petty grating" be wholly stamped
out, as it can be handed around by means of
presents, privileges, etc.. in such way that 1t
cannot be traced 80 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 1t Is liable to make most insidous Roadway
is in city councils. There 1t may be found either
indirectly or directly apparent And 1t is there.
after all. that 1t Is most dangerous because affect
ing entire city. If public Official steals from
his office, 1T is not such direct injury to the
public man the man who SELLS out" to jam a
franchise through council.
And 30, 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 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 $4,000 salary they
are merely putting premium 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 city administration in full accord
with the most influential newspapers of city,
apply the graft" legally pocket the "rakeoff, -
point to the Statutes In such case made and pro-
vided." and 30 far the public ID concerned 'let
the CALLED jade VINCE"