South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-10-16
Is. 1922
SELL YOUR VOTE?

What would you do TO a man who came to you
and offered you money for your vote?
Would you turn him over TO the police or would
you II a man hit him hard az you could and II
a woman. reach for a hatpin?
or would you begin to barter and tell him the
price too low?
THESE questions are not idle ones. for that IS
exactly what 10 happening to every voter in the
Thirteenth Congressional district
You are told By the republican committee In an
advertisement by which they hore to gain votes
Congressman Hickey that n you will elect him. you
may get post Office in South Bend and a new
federal court in northern Indiana.
The inference is that II Mr. Hickey is not elected
that the administration viii punish you for defeat
ing him by refusing build the new federal build
ing and letting justice worry along in this state
without court
They offering to buy your votes with your
own money. when this venal porkbarre treasury
plundering appeal is sent to you.
The very offer is based upon the cause OF more
bad government in this nation than any other
For It means, II It anything at all that
legislation IN is not decided by necessity
but by pull and that the welfare of the people is
secondary the political necessities Of members.
The truth Of the matter is that neither Of these
matters depends in the slightest degree upon the
defeat or election Of Mr. Hickey To say that they
do is 10 brand the majority Of both houses of
gress time-serving pilferers from the treasury.
II this city needs a new federal building it will
obtain one. Will built when the necessity for
It Is demonstrated 20 the sound judgment of the
majority of congress
The extra federal court will come when the
Judiciary committee of the senate, acting uron the
advice Of the supreme court and the attorney gen.
erals Office, is convinced that the enforcement OF
law demands another court.
That is the added bit Of viclousness to the plea
For Mr.. Hickey does and cannot build the
office or establish court. The treasury is not
his deliver.
But II 1t his and ne were able to say to the
voters this in congress
would reward this district for his reelection by these
new Improvements, and he is content to appeal
that basis he brands himself as more than UNIT
for the office he seeks.
For It would that you must sell your votes
either get what should be matter of
right or that YOU voting steal something that
does not belong you.
II the old Guard has fixed things for the new
building here in return for Hickey election. it
might be well TO ask Mr.. Hickey when he makes
his next address. what price he has to pay that
Old Guard for this purchase Of your vote.
Ask him what privileges in the way tariff
schedules in the removal OF excess profits taxes
from the big milionaires. in the granting OF rights
to pillage and plumber you he has pledged himself
TO support in order to get you the post office build
Ing which IS yours by right.
Ask him how far ne has TO surrender his own
Judgment and your interests a crowd that must
be venaI to make such bargain. in to put a
few dollars into this city.
Ask him. after he has bought your vote with pub
lie funds whether he intends to your inter
ests or those who permit him to take public funds
IN order to buy your votes
These are all perfectly fair questions plain in
ferences OF that advertisement which says:
Not to support him means his possible defeat
and the defeat OF these measures that have been
framed 70 be OF inesumabe value and lasting bene
ht TO this community"
II that be true then Mr.. Hickey denounces the
present majority and the present control OF con-
gress as vicious. yenal and plundering.
II II be not true that this building viii be refused
in the event some other elected. then the appeal
IS a plain confidence game
Those who wish TO sell their votes should seri-
highest market price. Possibly before election the
same interests which now offer you a part OF your
own money for public enterprises would pay real
money into your pockets for your votes. Then
YOU would be Of Il.
Those who resent any buying or votes IN any
manner will find in this public appeal OF the Hickey
committee insult 20 their integrity and brand II
as bribery That resentment should be strong
enough 10 defeat Mr. hickey. II he sanctions the
appeal OF his committee.
~ 4NCIEET CRIME