Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-07-18

was the work of political enemies "a dis
charged employe seeking revenge very fine
article of rosy talk usually INDUCED in by
CRATER who was on the run"
Then, when he was finally indicted his lawyers
would consent to tell what outrage it was that
their client should be prosecuted. All criminal
proceedings which seek to bring a CRATER to
book known by his lawyers "manhunts."
The big "grafter's' friends flock to the court
room, and quite frequently the utmost courtesy
is extended him by officials high up in Jail
circles; especially il he be of the same party
the Jail officials. If he happens to be on the other
side of the political fence, these courtesies
omitted.
After big CRATER is convicted there is the
usual appeal to the higher courts and 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. If he has
turned part of the money he stole, this is chance
not to be overlooked. But if he is stiff -necked'
and insists hanging to what he got, the
chances are not 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 graft"
nevertheless. On many, the statute of limitations
has ''run,' and prosecution made impossible. But
it cheering relate grating is not quite
fashionable as it used to be by reason of these
prosecutions; and much the 'reformer" has
been held up to ridicule it has been the reformer
and the reform organizations that have made
grating if not unpopular, at least dangerous.
Petty grating never be wholly stamped
out, as 1t can be handed around by means OF
presents, privileges etc. in such a way that it
cannot be traced so as to provide ground for
criminal prosecutions.
The technical term graft while peculiarly
applied politics, is not confined to that sphere
only Business, banking and railroad circles have
the disease. In city administrations the spot
where it is liable to make most insidious Roadway
is in city councils There it may be found either
indirectly directly apparent. And it is there
after ALL that it is most dangerous, because affect
ing entire city If public official steals from
his Office it is not such direct injury to the
public man as the who sells OUT jam
franchise through a council
And so, in the last analysis, the eyes of the re-
formers and the citizens should be fixed steadily
city councils. The best candidates for alder
too good; the salary should be
such that could give all of his time to the
work and be well and even handsomely paid If
the public expects man to give $4,000 worth
time il the city council for $4,000 salary, they
merely putting premium grating"
The day of the brazen CRATER has gone by
The regime is making for better things. The
only way that grating flourish nowadays
by having city administration in full accord
with the most influential newspapers of city,
apply the graft" legally, pocket the 'rake-on,"
point to the statutes in such made and pro-
vided," and far the public Is concerned, let
the CALLED jade vince