The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-03-26
Eareer Of Sherburn NJ. Becker,
Who Fought for Honest
Government, Inspiration to
Good Citizens.
He FOUGHT GRAFTERS
WITHOUT ANY QUARTER
His Induction to Politics Was
Beginning Of PTotechnic
Display of the Corrupt
Practices.
ESPECIAL corres spo nde nt.)

Especial Correspondent.)
Milwaukee, Wis. March 26.-Two
years of good government-two years
In which there was not even mur-
muir Of suspicion against the man who
stood at the helm and directed the
municipal ship OF state through one OF
the stormiest periods in the history OF
Miiwaukee-this briefly is the story OF
the two years from May 1906 to May
1908 when Sherburn M. Becker, a
young man. sat in the executive chair
lin the Wisconsin metropolis and gave
n business administration"
The administration Of Mayor Becker
was iconoclastic in more senses than
one. It not only shattered the old
''ring," which for years had been in
control OF city affairs. and returned
the power to rule to it's rightful own
ers--the common people-but it dis
seminated once and for all that time
worn tradition that man must grow
gray In the service of his party before
he can be trusted with the responsible.
tiles OF public office.
Only 90 Years Old.
When Mr. Becker. or as he is bet
ter known to the voters OF Milwaukee,
h'Sherbie," became candidate for the
office OF mayor he was only 20 years
|of ags. The irksome routine of his
Efathers bank did not appeal to his
krestless and action-craving temper
kment. He betook himself TO politics
lin order to give the town business
Milwaukee had for years suffered
Nnder the control of ring" which
had in its power the giving of almost
every public office. Charges had been
made against the men who were in
power, principally against Mayor
David S. Rose. but evidence to sub
stantiate the charges was lacking and
the ring" remained IN control. The
party leaders" picked the candidates
for all city offices and with the aid of
tho powerful Rose Democracy" had
been able to sweep elections on the
promise to the people of keeping the
Town wide open" The main issue
graft-was kept in the background.
Rebelled Against Graft.
Sherburn NJ Becker was one of the
young men who saw that affairs in
the city and county governments were
not what they ought to be. and his
militant honesty rebelled against the
wholesale plundering of public funds
that was going on. He determined
that II 1t was within his power to
curb or eradicate the evil he would
do 1t. When he became a candidate
for the county board of supervisors
the leaders laughed at him. and trust.
ed to the fact that being young man
he would be defeated at the polls.
But there was something strong in
Becker's makeup and when the votes
we're counted Becker was on the board
of supervisors.
"Sherbie's" induction into the coun.
ty board was the beginning of a pyro-
technic display that threw the light
into the inner circles of official Mil.
waukee-a light that has since blazed
the way for score OF convictions on
bribery charges and has saved the
county of Milwaukee hundreds Of
thousands of dollars
For long time it had been suspect.
ed that the committee of the county
board which let the contracts for pub
aic printing was corrupt, but no mem.
ber Of the board had had the temerity
to incur the wrath Of the powers
that were" by asking for an investi.
CATION. Mr.. Becker stepped into the
breach. He moved for committee to
investigate the awarding of contracts
and was himself made chairman ot
the committee.
Findings Startling.
The findings of the committee were
startling. Mr.. Becker. young. aggres.
sive and hot-blooded, dug out the
facts that the county had expended for
printing the previous year the sum OF
eS7,6oe when the actual cost OF the
work done was less than $4,000. In.
voetigation into the state statutes
showed that the 'grafters'' could not
be punished, burt Becker's blood was
up and he set about to find way
whereby the people might be protect.
ed IN the future. At his own expense
and IN his own vigorous way he sue.
ceeded In having the state laws
changed and In less than two years
he saved the county over 500. 900
The young man was beginning to
make himself felt in the political
arsaa Of Milwaukee and the bosses
.began to sit up and take notice.
Hotbed Of crafters.
Tho Milwaukee city council had al.
Vays bean more Of hotbed OF graft.