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Show "Leads to That Sinister Influence Which' Does More to Break Down " By SENATOR WILLIAM E. BORAH, of Idaho. SO L0XG as political parties seeking power or control of the government gov-ernment accept vast contributions front those who are interested in matters of legislation or administration, you will have sinister and corrupt and controlled governments. In these days the government deals with all the vast concerns of business, coal, railroads, ships, oils, tariffs, and it is simply intolerable that political parties accept vast contributions from those vitally interested inter-ested in these matters. Both political parties have for years placed themselves in an indefensible inde-fensible position in these matters. It all leads to that sinister and subtle influence which does more to break down representative government than any specific instance of open bribe. Besides, the open bribe follows inevitably. Through constitutional means, but in searching and remorseless fashion, let us make the hour of reckoning a memorable one. These days are the agony, but they may also be made the glory of a truly great and self-governing people. War brings waste and extravagance, and then corruption. One of its spawn is corruption in public office. But the people of this country are sound. The government is not corrupt. There are honest and faithful public servants and loyal and patriotic pa-triotic constituents. But I believe that so long as the present system and standards prevail pre-vail in American politics, regardless of party, you will have conditions no less deplorable. The country was shocked to learn that a large sum of money was given to a high official by a party having business with the government. Well, what have we to say about an individual having business, or expecting to have business, with the government, 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 government? You can buy influence with a political 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. |