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POLITICAL MACHINE STRATEGY AGAINST INVESTIGATIONS.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: POLITICAL MACHINE STRATEGY AGAINST INVESTIGATIONS.
Authors: Key Jr., V. O.1
Source: Social Forces. Oct35, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p120-128. 9p.
Subject Terms: Investigations, Hostility, Prosecution, Inquiry (Theory of knowledge), Jurisdiction, Publicity
Abstract: The article presents information on political machine strategy against investigations. Occasionally the authority of a political machine is challenged by the threat of a thorough investigation into its management of public affairs. Individuals fostering such inquiries hope by the discovery and dissemination of damaging facts to arouse hostility toward the machine. Certain recurring defensive techniques are used by the machine to combat such attacks upon its authority. These methods resemble in many respects those employed to defeat a criminal prosecution but the objectives are broader. The machine in defending itself against inquisitorial activities attempts to control public opinion negatively, by repressing facts or symbols presumed to incite hostility and, positively, by utilizing the investigatory procedure as a medium for favorable propaganda. Criminal prosecutions come later and can be handled with greater ease in a favorable or neutral atmosphere. By his control over the investigatory processes and his influence with the grand jury, the state's attorney, or like officer, has the power both through criminal prosecution of individuals and inquiries leading to unfavorable publicity, to endanger the continuance of the machine in power. No effort is spared to control this office and at times machine governed jurisdictions have gone for decades without an independent states attorney.
Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:The article presents information on political machine strategy against investigations. Occasionally the authority of a political machine is challenged by the threat of a thorough investigation into its management of public affairs. Individuals fostering such inquiries hope by the discovery and dissemination of damaging facts to arouse hostility toward the machine. Certain recurring defensive techniques are used by the machine to combat such attacks upon its authority. These methods resemble in many respects those employed to defeat a criminal prosecution but the objectives are broader. The machine in defending itself against inquisitorial activities attempts to control public opinion negatively, by repressing facts or symbols presumed to incite hostility and, positively, by utilizing the investigatory procedure as a medium for favorable propaganda. Criminal prosecutions come later and can be handled with greater ease in a favorable or neutral atmosphere. By his control over the investigatory processes and his influence with the grand jury, the state's attorney, or like officer, has the power both through criminal prosecution of individuals and inquiries leading to unfavorable publicity, to endanger the continuance of the machine in power. No effort is spared to control this office and at times machine governed jurisdictions have gone for decades without an independent states attorney.
ISSN:00377732
DOI:10.2307/2569991