The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1911-03-10
Judge Walker On Honest Elections.

Because of the fact that when in
structing Grand Juries in other Count
les in the district in regard to Honest
Elections, Judge Walkers remarks
have been either misinterpreted or mis-
construed, we herewith print his in
structions along that line in full. The
instructions given here touching on
this subject We're the same as he has
given at other places.
There is also another question about
which the law requires that should in
struct you, that is concerning honest
and fair elections.
1t has been decided that he who
steals an election has committed an act
as dishonest as could be committed, the
Court of Appeals Of Kentucky has said
so. The man who steals an election
has committed an oifense worse than
the man that steals a horse, because
the latter only steals a chattel of flesh
and blood, which can be replaced with
few paltry dollars, but the man who
steals an election not only commits q
crime against the one from whom he
steals, and against society, but against
the millions vet unborn.
| do not say this with the hope that
there will be an Indictment returned by
you, but that may undertake to create
at least a slight public sentiment against
it, which in time may become so strong
that the practice may cease altogether.
One of the most dangerous crimes
that confronts the American people to-
day is the crime of bribery in public
elections.
Gentlemen, stop and think about it.
Must custom require that a man in
order to become an officer of the law be
compelled to commit a penetentiary of
fense?. l call upon you to use YOU
best judgement, and to consider that il
it is not an outrage that public senti
ment requires a man to commit felony
before he can become an officer of the
law: that man must make himself &
criminal before he can be elected to of
flee.
One might ride into this town the
night before some election and Interest
some of the members Of some of the diff
ferent churches to raise money to bride
the county, and yet if l was to ash
these same people to steal a horse
they would be insulted. believe thu
act in itself is more hurtful to tn,
county than the act Of the man in steal
ing horse.
Why do 1 say so, there is a reason
Our free institutions are founded on the
theory that in the majority we find the
most virtue, the most intelligence anC
the greatest desire for right, and whel
that majority can be controlled wit
money, then we Substitute money TO
virtue, intelligence and right, and tn
whole fabric of our foundation for pop
ular government becomes thereby DIES
troyed, and bribery and corruption i
substituted in it's stead.
Is there any reason that we pu
criminals in office? Should the lav
allow such conduct to go unpunishe
and unharmed?. | warn you becaus
public opinion should be aroused to tn
extent that a man who holds a stole
or bought Office should be as much dis
graced as the man who commits an
other felony. And it will stop just a
soon as public sentiment takes this pos
ition, and the best element wants
stopped, and no sooner. Because yo
know that the people of this count
and this state demand that man pa
so much money before he can be elet
D ted.
r 1t is an outrage. Human rights an
a human privileges are not given us t
} play and toy with, but they should b
t appreciated commensurate with tn
q hardship by which they were won b
our fathers.
An office is only honorable when it
e honorably obtained, and the man VIII
n holds an office unlawfully, not only dis
!. graces himself but disgraces that Office
Men may gain by improper conduc
: but what does it profit man though /
: may get rich in office improperl.
e for it has been said by Him WI
d stilled the waves of the sea that
Twill lose his own soul.