
A Governor visiting a State prison was implored by a Convict to pardon him.
"What are you in for?" asked the Governor.
"I held a high office," the Convict humbly replied, "and sold subordinate appointments."
"Then I decline to interfere," said the Governor, with asperity; "a man who abuses his office by making it serve a private end and purvey a personal advantage is unfit to be free. By the way, Mr. Warden," he added to that official, as the Convict slunk away, "in appointing you to this position, I was given to understand that your friends could make the Shikane county delegation to the next State convention solid for--for the present Administration. Was I rightly informed?"
"You were, sir."
"Very well, then, I will bid you good-day. Please be so good as to appoint my nephew Night Chaplain and Reminder of Mothers and Sisters."
Governors who condemn office-selling while handing jobs to allies and relatives are hypocrites.
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Discussion questions
- What does the story reveal about the nature of power and corruption?
- How can we see similar scenarios in today’s political or social landscape?
- In what ways do you think moral stories like "The Austere Governor" remain significant across cultures and time?
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Read it in another language
- الحاكم المتشدد · العربية
- Der strenge Gouverneur · Deutsch
- El Gobernador Austero · Español
- فرماندار سختگیر · فارسی
- Le Gouverneur Austère · Français
- कठोर राज्यपाल · हिन्दी
- Il Governatore Austero · Italiano
- O Governador Austero · Português
- Суровый губернатор · Русский
- కఠినమైన గవర్నర్ · తెలుగు
- Ang Mahigpit na Gobernador · Tagalog
- Суворий губернатор · Українська
- 严厉的州长 · 中文