Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1915-01-15
CORRUPTION KILLS A CITY

Ierre Haute, Indiana, ls being Haunt.
ed on the fret page of every American
newspaper IS most corrupt city.
Practically every one Of the officials of
that oity-as we'll as the county Of
which 1t is the county seat-ars under
criminal indictment In the United
States court for bribery, fraud and
other corruption In connection with
the last general elections. The fact
that the elections selected q United
States senator makes any fraud in con.
neotion Herewith subject to federal
review.
Terre Haute is merely reaping what
its citizens have sown and nourishsd.
The city has been know to be corrupt
for ten years. The only real fight that
has taken place at tho polls within that
period has been fight between rspub.
lican and democrat politicians to sss
which party should have acoess TO the
graft, blackmail and plunder that the
dominant party in that city and county
enjoyed. Public service corporations,
breweries, saloons, banks and news.
papers all joined in the scramble to get
their hands on the machinery In order
to loot the people.
With what result? Honest capital,
enterprising business men. ambitions
young men possessed Of some sense Of
decency, manufacturing concerns that
wanted to locate where they could b
free from influence that demorslizsd
employees, all have left Terre Haute, OF
are leaving 1t as rapidly as possible.
No new ones are locating there. The
city, once second In Indiana to Indian
apolis in enterprise and prospects, now
stands away down the list.
Corruption In city government a.
ways means lower GLASS of offlcials,
lees protection to the property and life
aud health OF the citizens and higher
taxes. In city which ts corrupt the
taxpayers are getting swindled and
some private interests are getting the
loot after "splitting" with the ofhcials.
In other words, some private interest
or interests-generally q combination
of them-have outbid the taxpayers In
getting the service of the taxpayers'
officials.
It may be these interests are public
service corporations, they may b
brewery and liquor interests. they may
be street contractors and paving ma
terial corporations, but in any event
the inevitable result 10 the experience
Terre Haute is undergoing-H loss TO
the city of its reputation and event.
ually of its desirable business interests
and its growth. Even IL the local Citi.
zens refuse to acknowledge the exist
anoe of corrupt conditions, or refuse to
take steps to improve them, outside in.
terests see them and competing cities
give wide publicity TO them.
A few years ago Cincinnati was the
leading oity in Ohio, with Cleveland ito
only competitor. Cleveland "olsaned
house" beginning under the leader.
ship of Tom johnson. Cincinnati 70.
fused, preferring to remain under the
domination of Boss Cox and Rude
Hynicka. Today Cleveland has out
stripped Cincinnati and Dayton 10
stepping into second place. Reputable
concerns shun q corrupt City.
A few years ago Philadelphia WAS the
second important port on the Atlantic
coast. Boston cleaned house, 90 did
Baltimore, so did New Orleans. 90 did
Galveston. Philadelphia refused. To.
day she is fighting to keep ahead Of ltt.
tie Norfolk, Virginia, with slim pros
poets of success. All the other ports
have passed her. Capitslists won't in
vest millions where they may be sub.
jsot to ths corrupt demands or the
criminal neglect Of gang Of crooked
politicians or worse than crooked
boss. Corruption and growth are
sntithetical A corrupt nation, corrupt
state, corrupt city, or q corrupt private
enterprise is doomed to failure. Il u
the operation of national laws and
| nothing can snanand a.