Middletown transcript., 1912-01-20
M1DDLETowN, DEL, JAN. 20, 1912
DELAHARES HONORED PRESS

IL uO64 bOuS LhO OoASO NA 6OON
government to find in the Press
of this State, irrespective of po
litical preference, such a strong
and widespread note of condem-
nation of the utterly defenceless
act of the Governor and a maj0r-
ity of the Board of Pardons in
fastening to re-clothe John Barr,
the briber, in the habilements of
the citizenship he had so wilfully
dishonored.
All over the land the evil of a
corrupted electorate is to-day
sapping the very foundations of
the Republic, and imperilling all
government in city, state and
Nation. How fearfully common
is this crime! Beholding the
spectacle of hundreds of suppos-
edly respectable citizens in
Adams County, Ohio, rushing in
droves into Court confessing
their briberies and glad to ex-
change their civic rights for a
term of merited falling; beholding
the repetition in Vermllion
County, Illinois, of these shame
full scenes, and again the disclo'
sure of the same wholesale civic
venality in Tennessee, in Rhode
Island and in other states; and
finally, remembering that right
here at home there is a fearfully
corrupted electorate in both par,
ties, it is amazing that these Gus
todians of the States honor
should so cheaper and debase it.
We regret to find a Journal of
the standing of The Morning Nea0S
keeping silent on so grave a
questiUn-volunteering not sin
gle word in condemnation of this |
outrage. And when at length |
the sharp sarcasm of the Sunday
Star smokes The Nelos out, it is
pltiful to find such namby pamby |
of wishy. washy
about so grave a mat.
ter. Indeed, far from condemn
ing the shame, The Ne,Os appar
entity comes to the defence of it.
There is no need of multiplying
words or becoming hystericul over
the pardon Of Barr. We believe in
the punishment, to the limit, Of
every man who is convicted Of
violating the election laws. A
majority of the board Of pardous
recommended the pardon That
was within their rights, even if
public sentiment was not in harmony :
with the recommendation. The
governor had the right to grant the
pardon according to the recommer.- I
dation, whether be was or was not +
in harmony with the preponderance
of public sentiment. The board of :
pardons-a majority of that body \
assumed the responsibility for pro- :
viding the pardon. There the matter
will have to rest" z
Small wonder the crime flour. 4
hes apace here in Delaware
hen even one respectable news .,
aper can be found apologizing v
,r the unworthy officials who
Use to their duties to the people, Of
d and abet bribery by removing Y
le safeguards of the laws sane e
or that would prevent it. =
"There the matter will have to
st. Never! An indignant
lblic sentiment all over our \
'untry is aroused against this
'eat evil and is more and more
nphatically placing the stamp
its disapproval upon both the OF
iminal and his apologists, Off DO DO
al and other. So, too, here in 6
alaware this conformation of the
ime against the ballot is now AT
ndemned by all good citizens a. y.
respective of party, ana this of
ntiment making for a purer i.
ffrage is a strong rising tide, Ca
It weak, falling one. "There 90 90
e matter will have to rest" So
gain we say NEVER! a; a;