The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-03-11

. that they have done anything really
/, wrong in defrauding the government
and public. If they chance to be in
dlcted by the courts, they declare
themselves the victims of popular
clamor. They are victors in the bust
ness warfare, and to them belong the
spoils. The Philadelphia contractor
who, as the papers tell us, delayed
the completion of the filtration plant
to his own profit and at cost to the
city of 10000 cases of typhoid fever,
has declared publicly, II endeavor to
live SO that my life shall be an ex-
ample to my children" He is most
exemplary man, so we are told, a de-
vout church member, and doubt not
goes to church every Sunday and
thanks the Lord for the opportuni-
ties that have been given him. He is
a victor, and to him belong the spoils,
that is what he has always learned.
A prominent corporation lawyer of
Philadelphia told me recently that
ne was once conducting a case for
the city, and one day one of the big
contractors dropped into his office to
talk matters over. After the man
had gone, the lawyer missed $40
bill that had been lying on his desk.
A few hours later the contractor re-
turned, and, handing out the $40 bill,
, said, Il just happened to think this
might be yours. If it is yours, here
1T is: If it is the city's, I'm ID if
they get it,
The doctrine of the Spells System
is perverting our national conscience,
The papers TEEN with anecdotes
showing that we expect this public
dishonesty, and we have ceased to be
shocked at it. We are amused by it.
Can man save money on sal
airy of three dollars a day." asks a.
thrifty New Highlander. yes" replies
MS State senator, eff he is drawing
that salary as member of state
legislature.
DO you think we had an honest
election?" queries the doubtful Phila-
delphian. absolutely honest" re-
plies the successful candidate. 1--WE
paid spot cash for every vote"
What we need to do" cries the
San Francisco reformer, holly, lis to
take money out of politics" II took
out all l saw" replies the alderman,
with convincing candor.
The Spells System has DESTROYED
our capacity for moral indignation.
Dur General Federation Committee
las prepared series of programs for
he study of Civil Service Reform
which give briefly the history of the
movement and its effect upon our ed
lcational system and upon our pub
&c institutions Of charity and correc-
ion. They emphasize throughout al
o the fact that the reform of the
Evil Service is the greatest moral
uestion now before the American
eople, and that upon it hangs our
cry existence; for, if the nation
ould not exist half slave and half
rec, neither can it exist half honest
nd half dishonest.
The first edition of these programs
! nearly exhausted, and another is
allied for.
To the learned member of the
eague who may remind us, apropos
the program, that "a little knowl-
lge is a dangerous thing" we can
1ly answer that it is not so danger
is as the same degree of ignorance;
;, again, if ''little knowledge is
angerous thing" who of us, except
r. Eliot, is out of danger?
The homes of the plain people, aft
all, provide the most nourishing
IL for the growth of great social re-
Mr.. Lincoln knew this. During the
vii War man with great idea
r social regeneration went to Wash