The Dollar Displaces the Flag
By C. L. Shelton
THE following is a clipping from the Ohio State Journal of Dec. 29, 1909, and is self-explanatory; but I may be excused for pointing to it as being another chain in the link which the devil is forging around those who seem to "love to have it so!" "Judge says 40 per Cent of Public Money Is Lost in Graft. "TROY, N. Y., Dec. 28.—'The age of patriotism has yielded to the age of commercialism. Uppermost in the human mind, to-day, is not the stars and stripes, but the dollar mark.' "Such was the declaration of Supreme Court Justice Wesley O. Howard, in an opinion to-day, reducing the compensation of members of a commission appointed to appraise damages to property resulting from the construction of the Ashokan reservoir in Ulster County, which is to furnish a water supply for New York City. " 'At least forty per cent of all the money appropriated for public use is lost in graft,' said Justice Howard. 'All things could be possible if this frightful leak could be stopped — roads, canals, libraries, asylums, and hospitals. " 'Graft is as much an element to be reckoned with in computing the cost of a public structure, as is cement or lumber. It has come to be a matter of course — this rake off — a loss recognized by all who make estimates of cost in such cases. A public structure built honestly would be a freak.' " When a judge feels called upon to give such a rebuke, his words should be heeded. While some are saying, "Peace and safety," and looking for a world's conversion, the greatest frauds and scheming for bigger frauds are coming to light. There is uncertainty and perplexity everywhere. Truly men's hearts are "failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." This nation has been the wonder of the world. God has most signally blessed it in the past by raising up men to manage its affairs in such way that His name would be honored in the relief of the downtrodden, and giving light to those who were in darkness of error; and just so long as these principles are carried out and there is a work of this nature to be accomplished, and there are men who will dare to stand for the right, this nation can and will be used of God. But should this high purpose be lost sight of in the scramble for place and riches, it will be just as easy for the Lord to turn the tables as He has done in the past when His purposes were not accomplished. The nation will be set aside even as others have been. Can you not see and appreciate the situation? "The night is far spent, the day is at hand." The next great event will be the coming of the King, and the beginning of that kingdom which shall know no fraud.