THE SUNDAY OKLAHOMAN
Sunday August 21, 1983
Oklahoma’s Continuing Shame
OKLAHOMA in notable for many things – among them oil and gas, wheat and beef, productive labor, thriving enterprises, along roster of distinguished military heroes, and nationally ranked athletic teams.
On the negative side of the ledger, enter another item for which Oklahoma has built a national reputation – corruption in public office.
Indeed, the stench of political scandal predates all of our noteworthy achievements. Not only has it been around since statehood, but it’s smelling worse all the time.
The Muskogee federal court jury conviction of House Speaker Dan Draper Jr., D-Stillwater, and his majority floor leader, Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Miami, on multiple counts of conspiracy and mail fraud in merely the latest chapter in a sordid saga that stains our state’ history.
Relative newcomers may not be aware of it, but as one of the newer states in the union, Oklahoma need not take a back seat to any of the much older states in the extent and frequency of scandal in its public affairs.
Consider just the highlights on the scoreboard:
1983 – The speaker and majority floor leader of the state House of Representatives convicted in an absentee ballot scam in eastern Oklahoma.
1983 – Oklahoma County District Judge William C. Page convicted in federal court on four counts of racketeering and extortion – taking payoffs from criminal elements to influence the handling of cases.
1983 – Oklahoma County district Judge William C. Page convicted in federal court on four counts of racketeering and extortion-taking payoffs from criminal elements to influence the handling of cases.
1982 – The first conviction of a contractor for bid-rigging on state highway projects resulting from a federal probe still in progress in Oklahoma and many other states. Potential involvement of public officials remains a possibility. Taxpayers in Oklahoma may have been bilked out of as much as $28 million a year since 1980 on inflated road-building costs.
1979 – Emergence of the broadest-based scandal in Sooner history, and possibly the nation, that already has netted kickback convictions of more than 200 sitting and former county commissioners and equipment suppliers. And it’s still in progress.
1974 – Conviction of former Gov. David Hall, shortly after his losing bid for renomination, on federal charges of bribery and extortion while he was governor.
1967 – Conviction of former House Speaker J.D. McCarty on charges of income tax evasion and perjury stemming from acts while he was speaker.
1965 – Impeachment of state Supreme Court Justice N.B. Johnson and convictions of resigned Justice Earl Welch and former Justice N.S. Corn for taking payoffs to influence cases.
1929 – Impeachment of Henry S. Johnston.
1923 – Impeachment of Jack C. Walton
What this rotten chronology suggests is even worse to contemplate, namely that it may be only the tip of the iceberg. Just as not all the burglars and robbers are ever caught and punished, we know that not all those who abuse the public trust are exposed and convicted.
Can anything be done about it? Yes, but only if the citizens of Oklahoma collectively decide they have had enough.
Never was the time more right for men and women of decency and integrity to offer their services at all levels. And never has the need been greater for citizens to shuck off their apathy, inform themselves and make discerning judgments at the polls on those who should be trusted with elective office.
The time has indeed come for Oklahomans to demand a moral reawakening in the conduct of their public affairs. Without it, additional chapters in our already lengthy book of corruption will surely be written. And the people will continue to get the kind of government they deserve.
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