The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-07-05
GRAFT IN RUSSIA.
Honest Odessa Chief Asked to BE
Transferred From Such Corruption.


sariat Department IN Kieff is very
powerful and corrupt Consequently
it has Ventured dangerously far. The
officials recently raised the bribe tax
TO a level exceeding all the deductions
usually made by contracting firms and
upsetting their calculations. No 9TH
demands. All the officers who refuse
to play the game" were called
fools" and were entrapped when
possible and compromised, so that
their evidence, should it ever be used
against the organization. might lose
its value. Captain D. was one Of
the fools" and a plan was matured
TO compromise him. y contractor
was TO call upon him and offer him
packet of bank notes for his favor
able attitude Witnesses were to be
hidden away and the trick was done.
But by the merest accident the cap
tain got wind of the plot and made
ready to illustrate it. AS soon as the
contractor came and asked, May l
call on you today with refrence to an
important matter?" he received the
encouraging reply, Certainly BY
the time he arrived. however, the
captain had policemen and one men,
ber Of the revising commission in
hiding, who suddenly revealed their
presence when the packet Of bank
notes was again offered by the con-
tractor.
Gratitude" is the official term for
a bribe in Russia. If you ask an Of
fetal. public or private. for a favor
or right. adding "and 1 will he
grateful to you," the understanding
between you is complete. There was
an incorruptible fool" like Captain
d., who was appointed chief of de-
partm ant in Odessa. He was impuI-
sive, passionate, but a good-hearted
man, and he said to his subordinates
on his arrival: Come to me at any
hour Of the day or night and you
shall find me, if you come on busi-
ness Of the department. If 1 get
angry am liable to paroxysms Of
anger--bear with me. Take no no
tice. The fit will pass as it came leav-
ing no trace. Above all else, be frank.
Hide nothing. And please prime me.
If there be anything which you think
l ought to know, teach me. 1 am will
ling to learn
Next day the oldest official in the
department entered the room Of the
new chief. He was greeted cordially:
Il am delighted. Sit down. What can
I do for your"
My colleagues have sent me. Your
words yesterday encouraged us to
be frank with you. There are things
you ought to know and be familiar
with. And my comrades thought
that perhaps 1 could unfold them to
YOU"
Yes, I see. Well, am rather
pressed for time just now, but what
is the subject?'
Gratitude. You see, your En-
cellency, our methods of receiving
gratitude differ from"
'Wh-a-t? How dare you an Of
fetal of the crown
There are two kinds of gratitude.
the negative gratitude which we re-
ceive at stated periods not for doing
anything in particular, but for what
might be termed"
go to Hades. Begone out of my
sight I will report wou? You-you
The chiefs eyes were starting from
their sockets, his face was scarlet; he
trembled in every limb, and his lam
guage was picturesque to a shocking
extent.
Next morning the same official
sought out the new chief, sat down
beside him, and with a bland smile
began: Il am glad to see your Excel
lency look so we'll this morning.
have come TO explain 10 you our ways
as to gratitude. There are two kinds
of gratitude: the specific for a par
tic"
III commit some crime if YOU
don't get out Of my sight. shut up
this minute or else"
The subordinate retired with dignity.
Next day different official took up
the threads whore the first had left
them, and began to discourse upon
"grattude' and what percentage Of
it would belong to the chief. The
latter fumed and foamed at the
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