Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-15
Outside Point of VIEWS

From reliable sources comes the in
formation that the private life Of Sem
ator Lorimer is a model for all men.
His family life IL known to be the adj
miration Of close friends and neighbors.
Nearly all OF his evenings are spent at
home. and club life and all that goes
with 1t has little attractions for this
man. Wine and women" are not in
Guided In his vices. Add to all this that
ne has AN engaging personality" and
then think OF his situation today. Ac-
cused by some OF the most prominent
men IN the country OF holding his seat
in the senate by bribery, he daily takes
part in the sessions of that body. APP
parently unmoved by the terrible ac-
cusations brought against him. He
seems to be dead to a sense of any per-
sonal pride. Not only this. he fails to
feel the weight OF public opinion. and
Is unconcerned or apparently so Of the
feelings of his colleagues toward him.
Once more. think OF the life OF the
former Mr. Lorimer, OF Illinois. the
model citizen, and then contrast 1t
with the situation and action Of Senator
lOrimer today
And no other word explains the
condition of affairs, but politics. Sena-
tor Lorimer's Is a political degeneration.
He neither realizes the disgraceful
enormity Of his political work nor the
feeling Of the community at large con-
corning such work. To him the end
justifies the means. Like the preacher
in Adams county. Ohio. who in common
with several thousand Of his fellow
citizens accepted money for their votes,
Others do the same" was the UNDER
lying excuse and self justification for
such political work. Some OF us here
in Iowa not so long ago. We're engaged
in political work that will not stand the
test of good citizenship today.
Righ, here can be told a true story. A
very good citizen, Il church member IN
good standing, one Sunday forenoon
had just taken part in the communlan
service OF the church of which he was
member. one of the ushers came
quietly down the aisle, whispered -
him, he as quietly stepped out into the
vestibue. read telegram. hurried
home. hastily packed his grip. caught
a train. travelled till late that night.
hired a livery team, drove across the
country till he came to the residence of
a county boss, got him out OF bed, had
a consultation, drove back to the depot
and was at home soon after daylight
Monday forenoon. And greatly to the
surprise of the voters of the county
where said church member visited late
Sunday night. one of the worst pieces
Of political rascality was successfully
carried out on the following election
day. To accomplish this result big
money was used. But only very few
men knew Of the deal. The writer
came into possession Of the facts five
years afterward Now listen. none OF
the politicians engaged in this trans
action were ashamed Of their acts. nor
did the chief actor in carrying out the
plans lose caste either privately as a
citizen or as a public politician. In fact
today those Of us that have now a
knowledge Of this bit OF now ancient
history look at II in the light of pretty
sharp practice" You see the other
fellows would have done the same
thing If we hadn't got ahead of them
Whether we like to admit It. or not.
our standard OF right and wrong in
political matters. is entirely a~different
standard from that in business trans
actions. And still more pronounced is
our standard comparatively in social
affairs. Speaking broadly. In political
matters We regularly and persistently
break several OF the commandments
and yet proudly proclaim ourselves
god citizens In business affairs "our
word is as good as our bond is it in
political dealso Ask the defeated cam
didate for the postoftice. If during the
next election we succeed in getting
some votes counted for our side, that
legally hsould be thrown out, are we
asha med and cast down. II TO elect
our ticket We nominate some man with
shady record. both private and public
knowing he can be elected by the dis
reputable element. do we hesitate to put
up such man for public office? During
every campaign, don't we name. work
for. and vote for such men? Per-
haps we forget the glass houses we
live in
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