The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-07-23
m =lsf9ZTN0I E0IID HIHZNI0Z SfNZE1l2 4

Come off! Why two of
that last bunch cleared 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. l never had Honest John tackled onto
me for handicap, bit don't want to go along
the street looking back if anyones following
me-"
But those fellows are alive and well to-day and
the statute of limitations has en-"
Yes. maybe; but it would be just my luck to
get 'snaked My tailor says stripes unbecoming
on tall men, anyway
You're foolish Jack"
"A regular lobster Billy; but when I'm let out
to sleep nights, without listening for some
to ring the door-bell and ask how about t?"
The foregoing conversation is verbally correct
transcript between an appontee to city Office and
a political acquaintance. the wellknown and almost
"disbarred' 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 I'M
scrupulous that public office private snap
The salary was supposed to be merely expense
money for being in the political game; the real
money to be gotten out of side DEALS"
schemes where the official was to use his influence
and his opportunities to get into Something good"
whereby for favors either directly or indirectly
granted he got what is known sometimes his
"rake-off." his bit it.-i f i'.a
Ii he was in a position where contracts were to
he let ito the lowest bidder 1t his business.
If CRATER" to that his man" the low
est bidder, or to have combination among the
bidders that the contracts would be divided
among two three favored firms individuals;
or to work in some sub-contractor, or in
various ways get finger in the pie" that he
could "holp 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 co-associated
in city work, there had to be either complete and
general understanding to CROOKED work." or
there might be underharsi work by one two
which hidden from the rest.
: The public had weird and unique ideas about
graft" The fact that grating" carried
In city hall and city departments to greater or
less extent during every political administration
fact that was undeniable. Sometimes an ad-
ministration especially corrupt; sometimes the
administration was headed by man who was even
by his bitterest enemies acknowledged to be strict
ly honest But one man could oversee the
ms and Of every department in the city there
bound to be some grating" however petty,
somewhere in the various Offices departments
But the public generally seemed to be OF the opin
ion that the instant man was appointed or elect
ed 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 he took
the oath OF Office And because of this, the most
insulting and libelous statements were being ban
died back and forth by irresponsible parties, con-
corning who were honestly and conscientiously
doing their duty in public offices. .-
Citizens who Appropriated without any legal right
the sidewalks front of their stores for shipping
purposes-men who would follow alderman for
weeks in order to get bay-window put in down
town shop contrary to the ordinances, people who
hung about the city hall from dawn to twilight try
ing to get railroad pass, would enter public
office with the air of Daniel going down the eleva-
tor into the lions den And If a question was asked
them when they stated their business. they always
imagined 1t had hint Of graft in it. Well, now.
let me tell you: These folks that always scent
ing graft in every public Office and ofacer-these
Holy Willies" that assume such "unco guild"
air, they are often the people that will bear watch
ing themselves.
The fact OF the matter that that real graft"
was handled by men who worked 1t SO that nearly
always 1t was entirely legal, in the strict letter
of the law. "A measley Ave ten-doar bill handed
here and there for some favor was mere bagatelle
And for graft in politics. the legislatures of the
various states as mighty universities to kin
dergartens compared to city administrations. As
for the United States senatebut that IL the king
row" on the political checker-board, and not mat
ter for comment in this article.
Money is the cheapest and least dangerous form
Of graft" mean money that buys favors; brfbes
in word Big graft" concerns itself with Shares,
stock" "interests''-things that cannot be traced
90 easily corrupt Big grafters are afraid
II cold cash. They want something that can be