The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-08-20
ona !. ca,,s rnon every son that

need-and 1t calls upon every son tnat
il has who falls within the age OF
twenty-one to thirty-one, to step up
to the line; and If he is physically
able, he must stand on a basis OF abso'
mte equality. think hardly anything
has done so much to break down all
artificial distinctions of society as that
one fact, that here is field where
the moor and the rich stand on basis
of absolute equality. And 1t is import
ant for the public to understand that
that is the character OF this conscrip'
ton act; that it takes no account OF
anv class. Those artificial divisions
which run thrwart our life, OF birth, OF
culture, of education. of fortune, they
are all of them sponged out here, and
all men stand together in common
service to meet a common need. II
mis- small case, In some of its aspects,
can be made the means OF fetching
that sublime factato the thought o.
every man, to the thought of the poor
and the rich, to the thought OF the
educated and the ignorant, that this
war has leveled all those distinctions
which have counted for so mpch n
our life, it will have done good ser
service. II it shall also have maze
clear to everybody that money can
not enter the field covered by this con-
scriptiont law, that sthere is no such
thing as buying favor, either ~ class.
ification or by exemption, and thas
any attempt to do it Is an attempt TO
eyde the requirements OF this statute
II will have performed good service:
Now; that was the capital wrong OF
Mr. Johnson. He went counter to the
whole scope and purpose OF this law
He did it through ignorance, but 1t IS
la fortunate thing that the board ny
it's action, the prosecuting officer by
his action. that the first time such
matter has really been attempted,
has challenged it and brought II 10
public notice, and with that perfectly
clear, and l hope, fair presentation OF
the matter. 1t is easy to know what
ought to be DONE
Here the court directed his remarks
to Mr.. Johnson.
81 am convinced that you are not
actuated by corrupt purpose in the
offer which you made to buy exemp-
ton for your son. am convinced that
YOU thought you could do that by
substituting money for your son. You
could not do that -, l do not believe
that you were actuated by any inten-
ton to bribe any member of the board,
but that you really intended simply
to substitute a sum OF money in lieu
of your son. That was wrongful on
your part. think you did it in part
through poor advice. You did it In
part through your Overwrought emo
lions. But you have put us all to
good deal of trouble along with your
self, and you have put the board here,
who are giving of their time just as
bravely as any soldier who is follow
ing the colors, giving their time, not
sparing themselves from the most ard.
nous labor-you have put them to the
trouble of dealing with your wrong.
full conduct. The board has 800 OF
your money which you put up as part
payment. Upon your contributing
500 more to be paid In combination
with the 500 which the board has, to
the local Red Cross I will grant the
motion of the district attorney, and
enter an order dismissing this charge
against YOU" ttt ssEe