The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-14
BORAH SAYS BIG CAMPAIGN
GIFTS ARE INVESTMENTS
RottennesS Uncovered in
Probes Result of u. S,
Political SYSTEM.
By WILLIAM E. BoRAH


NV n AR has taken thousands of our
lIWI youth, it has put great bur-
I--1 den upon us, it has left it's
fetid slime here and there upon the.
public service. but it has not cor
rupted and shall not corrupt Amer
lean honor. That is in the keeping
OF the American people and they will
safely guard it and preserve it. The
revelations have uncovered rottenness,
but they have also uncovered the high
purpose and the incorruptible patriot
ism of 10000, 900 people
I do not underestimate, [ trust, the
potency of our great wealth as a ma
ton, our vast areas, our undeveloped
natural riches; l know the part they
play in giving us prestige and power
and permanency; but 1 know, as we
all know, in the last analysis it is not
these upon which we rely for the sue
cess and preservation of our Govern
ment and our institutions, but upon
the character of the people, and that
Is untainted.
Same Conditions Prevail
But the Generalization consequent
upon the war does not tell the whole
story. 1 venture to believe so long
as the present system and standards
prevail in American politics, regard
less of party. you will have condi-
tons no less deplorable than those
which now confront us
The country was shocked to learn
that a very large sum of money was
given to a high official by party
y,
Well what have we to say about an
individual having business. or expect |
ing to have business, with the Gov
eminent giving a very large sum of
money to the political party which
is in control. or is seeking control, |
of the entire machinery of the Gov |
eminent? And this is a practice |
which prevails in this country, not |
as to one party but as to all political |
parties
These stupendous sums contributed |
to a political party do not simply |
measure the individuals patriotic in |
terest in his party. Such large sums /
are asked for or given because of |
a desire to go beyond the ordinary |
interests Of the individual in his party. |
You can buy influence with po |
ltical party quite as effectively as
you can an individual. In the latter |
instance it is still denounced, in the |
former instance it has become an /
accepted practice.
1t appears. for instance. that one |
individual gave $4,000 to the Demo |
cratic party and another $4,000 to /
the Republican party. and both We're /
expecting to do business with the |
Government. Now. these gentlemen /
do not stand alone. They did not |
initiate that kind of practice. They |
were doing what has becomoe an |
accepted practice and system in this |
country. So long as political parties
seeking power or control of the Gov
eminent accept vast contributions /
from those who are interested in mat /
tiers Of legislation or administration. /
you will have sinister and corrupt |
and controlled Government.
Both Parties Guilty
Both political parties have for years
placed themselves in an indefensible |
position in these matters. 1t all leads
to that sinister and subtle influence
which does more TO break down rep
resentative government than any spe-
cific instance or open bride. Besides. !
the open bribe follows inevitably as
a result fthe former practice.
I am not one of those who complain |
Of the Democrats because of anything |
they have contributed to the revela- |
tions which have been brought about. |
1t is one Of the advantages Of party !
government that one political party !
vigilantly watches and cridcises the
other. | hope that will always be so. /
The conditions would soon be intoler- |
able in this country if it were not so. |
The people are greatly interested, nat !
urally. in any individual dereliction Of
public duty but they are far more in
terested in having a government at |
Washington. regardless Of which party |
is in power, uncontrolled and uninf1u-
enced by sinister and selfish interests. |