From the October 15, 2014, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back:
October 14, 100 years ago.
"It does not matter how many thousands are being killed in Europe, or what the trouble is in Mexico, or what are the great issues of the present political campaign.
"The only question that has occupied the public mind this week is which ball team will win the world series, the Boston Braves or Philadelphia Athletics."
Apathy Way Back then. --Cooter
Showing posts with label political campaigns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label political campaigns. Show all posts
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Fifty Years Ago This Week-- Part 3: Governor Stratton Tax Evasion Trial
"Former Republican Governor William Stratton was accused of failing to report nearly $100,000 in income-- campaign contributions the feds said Stratton converted for personal use-- from 1957 to 1960 during his second term.
"Republicans called foul, saying it was a "political trial." U.S. senator Everett Dirksen testified at the trial as a self-described expert on the subject and said Stratton had done nothing wrong.
"The jury acquitted Stratton on March 11t, 1965 and, though it was silent on its reasons, a Tribune analysis of the judge's instructions pointed to his emphasis on whether the government had proved willful intent. The next day, a Tribune editorial said, 'The morality of mixing campaign contributions and personal gifts is open to question, but is done so regularly that it is accepted as normal political practice.
"'In a state like Illinois, nobody except a very rich man could aspire to be governor unless his political expenses, including gowns for his wife, were provided.'"
Corruption in Illinois Government. Who'd a Thunk It? --Cooter
"Republicans called foul, saying it was a "political trial." U.S. senator Everett Dirksen testified at the trial as a self-described expert on the subject and said Stratton had done nothing wrong.
"The jury acquitted Stratton on March 11t, 1965 and, though it was silent on its reasons, a Tribune analysis of the judge's instructions pointed to his emphasis on whether the government had proved willful intent. The next day, a Tribune editorial said, 'The morality of mixing campaign contributions and personal gifts is open to question, but is done so regularly that it is accepted as normal political practice.
"'In a state like Illinois, nobody except a very rich man could aspire to be governor unless his political expenses, including gowns for his wife, were provided.'"
Corruption in Illinois Government. Who'd a Thunk It? --Cooter
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