Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1908-07-10

was the work of political enemies "a dis
charged employe seeking revenge" very fine
article of rosy talS' was usually induged in by
a 'grafter" who was on the run"
Then, when he finally indicted, his lawyers
would consent to tell what an outrage it that
their client should be prosecuted. All criminal
proceedings which seek to bring "grafter" to
book are known by his lawyers "man-hunts."
The big "grafters" friends flock to the court
room, and quite frequently the utmost courtesy
is extended to him by officials high up in jail
circles; especially if he be of the same party as
the Jail officials If he happens to be on the other
side OF the political fence these courtesies are
omitted
After big "grafter" is convicted there is the
usual appeal to the higher courts and lot OF
skrmishing to keep him out of the penitentiary,
but he gets there just the same. He may, after
serving year of his sentence, become Ill
that he will have to be pardoned If he has re-.
turned part of the money he STOLE this is a chance
not to be overlooked But If he Is "stif.necked'
and insists hanging on to what he got, the
chances are not SO favorable Only a 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 graft"
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 1t used to be by reason of these
prosecutions; and much the "reformer' has
been held up to ridicue, it has been the reformer
grating" If not unpopular at least dangerous.
Petty grating" never be wholly stamped
out, as it can be handed around by means of
presents, privileges, etc, in such way that it
cannot be traced 90 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 it is liable to make most insidlous headway
is in city councils. There it may be found either
indirectly or directly apparent. And it Is there.
after ALL that 1t is most dangerous, because affect
ing an entire city. If public official steals from
his office 1t is not such a direct injury to the
pubic man the man who SELLS out" to jam
franchise through a council.
And so, in the last analysis, the eyes of the re.
on city councils. The best candidates for alder.
men are none too good; the salary should be
such that a man could give all of his time to the
work and be well and even Handsomely paid II
the public expects man to give $4,000 worth
of time in the city council for SO 900 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 grating flourish nowadays
is by having a city administration in full accord
with the most influential newspapers of a city
apply the graft" legally, pocket the "rake-on Z"
point to the statutes in such case made and Jro-
vided, and so far the public is concerned "let
the CALLED Jade vince"