Gunnison news-champion., 1908-07-10

was the work Of political enemies "a dis
charged empi0ye seeking revenge" very fine
article of 'rosy talk" was usually indulged in by
"grafter" Who was the run"
Then when ne finally indicted. his lawyers
would consent 10 tell what an outrage it that
their client Should be prosecuted. All criminal
proceedings which seek to bring a "grafter' to
book are known by his lawyers as "man hunts.
The big "gTaiters" friends flock to the court
room, and quite frequently the utmost courtesy
is extended him by officials high up in Jail
circles espec ally IL he be of the same party as
the Jail officials II he happens to be on the other
side of the puitical fence, these courtesies are
omitted.
After big CRATER" is convicted there is the
usual appeal 10 the higher courts and a lot of
skrmishng to keep him out of the penitentiary
but he gets there just the same. He may. after
serving year of his sentence, become so i'll
that he will lave TO be pardoned. If he has re-
turned part of he money he STOLE this is chance
not to be overlooked But if he is stiff necked"
and insists on hanging to what he got. the
chances not so favorable Only a ridiculOusy
small percentage OF the big "grafters' have been
punished Some of the biggest of them all have
absorbed their craft legally But it graft"
nevertheless. on many the statute of limitations
has run and prosecution made impossible But
it is cheering 10 relate that grating" is not quite
Fashionable as it used to be by reason of these
prosecutions. and much as the 'reformer'' has
been held up 10 ridicule. has been the reformer
and the reform ORGANIZATIONS that have made
grating if not unpopular at least dangerous
Petty grating" can never be wholly stamped
out. it be handed around by means of
presents privileges etc. in such way that it
cannot be traced 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 il is liable 10 make most insidGus headway
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 a public official steals from
his Office. it is not such direct injury 10 the
public man as the man who sells out to jam
franchise through a council
And so, in the last analysis the ewes Of the re-
formers and the citizens should be fixed steadily
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 10 the
work and be well and Handsomely paid. II
the public expects man TO give s. 600 worth
Of time IL the CITY council for s. 600 SALARY they
are merely putting premium on grating"
The day Of the brazen CRATER has gone by
The new regime is making for better things The
only way that graftine" can flourish nowadays
Is by having city administration in fun accord
with the most influential newspapers Of a city.
apply The graft legally. pocket the -rake-oH
point to the statutes in such case made and rrt.
vided. and so fa- the public is concerned let
the CALLED jade VINCE