The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1952-03-06
Honest Politicians

Many times, over the years, I've been asked if l believe
that politicians can be fair and honest. Some time ago that
question was answered in this column, but recently there has
been a flood of such inquiries, undoubtedly inspired by the
revelations of corruption at Washington which came to light
during the past few months. Perhaps it would be well to re-
peat my answer here.
My answer always has been and still is that most GER
tainly politicians can be fair and honest, that is, if you and l
permit them to be so. A more pertinent question would be:
"Can the voting public be fair and honest with the politi-
cianS?"
The fact that we have had, now have, and unfortunately,
may have in the future some dishonest politicians is due in
great part to our careless attitude toward good government
and to our selfish, unreasonable demands made upon those
whom we elect to public office.
Most men elected to political office are inherently hon.
est-they aspire to serve their fellow citizens well-they en-
bark on their public careers fired with a zeal to do a thor
ough, unselfish job of cleaning up corruption and of admin
iStering honestly, capably and economically the public af-
fairs entrusted to their control and guidance. The exceptions
to this rule are few.
But, the new political electee barely has time to hang his
hat on the peg provided by the taxpayers money before the
onslaught begins. individuals, committees, pressure groups,
corporations, mendicants, cranks, chiseIers, social reformers
and legions> of others besiege him for this favor and that
handout-nearly all of them making selfish, unreasonable
demands upon him to crack open the public treasury and
give them some of the loot.
'Ts a hardy soul, indeed, who can Withstand this bonn
bardment of patronage panhandlers and mercness mendi-
cantS and few there are of our politicians who are successful
largely responsible for corrupting our politics.
Another thing that contributes to political delinquency
is continuing any one man too long in office. Elected officers
should be changed frequently in order to keep them respon-
sive to public interests. During his first years of office, an
official makes his real contribution to the country, the state
or municipality. When he attempts to perpetuate himself in
office by building up slush funds, and by increasing the
number on the public payroll, while at the same time de-
claiming his indispensabilty and pronouncing that a state of
emergency exists with which only he can cope, then it is
high time to dispense with his services and retire him to
private life.
This applies to an alderman, a mayor, a state legislator,
a member of Congress, or even to a president of the United
States.
Yes, politicians can be fair and honest if we, the electors,
demand it of them and refrain from using them as tools by
means of which to plumber the taxpayers money. AS to the
politicians who just naturally are bad ones" they can be-
taken care of very nicely by an aroused electorate-they just
can't stay in office against the wishes of the people.
Come next November 4, if we are smart, we can see to
it that a number of our present public office holders start
looking for new employment-for jobs the salaries of which
will not come out of the public treaSury-George Peck.