Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-09-08
ASKS PARDON FOR Revf.

ders
ASKS PARDON FOR REUF.
Mr.. Older. editor of the San Francis
CO Bulletin. is out with an editorial ad-
vocating the release of Abe Ruef. The
famous boss Of San Francisco was sem
fenced for eigh. years and he has
served barely one year
The peculiar part of this appeal is
that it comes from the original graft
agitator. Long before Heney, Spreckles
or any other Of the large number of
men who were in at the finish. had
taken up the work. Older was hammer
ing away ana furnishing those with
disposition to 10 anything for the bet
terment of civic condition the infor-
nation which they needed, He was a
pioneer in the reform wave which
finally swept over the city and en-
quilted some Of its most prominent citi-
zens. He Incurred the displeasure of
the grafters and was the victim of boy
colts and frequently was in personal
danger.
grew out of this crusade, Ruef was the
only prominent man convicted. It
seems strange, therefore, to find the
chief prosecutor in this work leading
a crusade for the release Of the chief
CRATER and the only one convicted out
Of q thousand equally guilty. para
graph from Mr.. Older's editorial on the
subject explains his reasons for pro-
posing the release of the noted pris-
oner.
II the graft fight in San Francisco
served no other purpose, it proved OF
great educational value both to the
people In whose interest it was waged
and to the men who led the move
ment True, Abraham Ruef was the
only man indicted who reached the
penitentiary, but, speaking as one OF
the men prominent In bringing about
the exposure, do not regret that more
were not placed in the stripes Of in
fanny. L do not regret it because have
ceased to believe, that our economic
difficulties are going to be solved by
sending men 20 prison. The cure Hes
deeper. Men are too weak to with
stand the temptations that lie in their
way. So long as public necessities are
controlled by private corporations there
will be civic corruption.
Briefly, Mr.. Older's reasons are two
fold, Ruef should not be required to
expiate the sins of all his co-grafters.
Ruef was victim of the system and
Of mans inherent weakness rather
than an exception to be singled out
and separated from others because Of
communicating influence. Mr.. Older in
sists that the private ownership OF
public utilities Is the source and cause
of most of the civic unrighteousness
in the country.
But the really important thought in
connection with this notable editorial
is the recognition Of the fact that there
Is an inherent weakness in man which
causes him to fall before temptation.
Mems weakness in these matters are
varied. Some OF them are benetciaries
Of these corrupt systems and like the
soldiers who nailed the Savior to the
cross. they know not what they are
doing Others who are not beneficiar-
les are too weak in moral fiber to do
anything to establish better ideals
Herein Is the Iea; problem of the re-
former and the man who wants to
render real service to his fellowmen
How can men be made stronger?
What about the boys Of today who will
be governors tomorrow. Intoxicating
iiquor, cigarets, idleness, absence of
proper direction in the formation Of
habits and ideals are raising crop
Of boys today which Will make ideal
municipal or any other kind Of gov
eminent Impossible for tomorrow.
Men are weak. That Is our great at
Fiction. When they have been made
strong other ills will be swept away
because the source from whence they
come have been eliminated. Systems
or forms Of government may be help
full, but where lot Of weak men are
assembled together In a community,
corporations will ply their grating
propensities successfully. and among
men Of this same character municipal
administration of affairs will be faulty
for the same reasons.
for the same reasons. Thosesof US less
ideanstic than Older will demand the
|JAH FOR everybody we cam convict and
convict all whom we can catch red
handed but the fact ,stin remains that
more testing Of. the seed Dis important
lest We continue to raise crops Of weak
characters life Ruef.
- .,s ~.