The Burton K. Wheeler Center at Montana State University will host a lecture and book discussion on political corruption and accountability this September.
The event will be held Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m. in the Strand Union Building’s Procrastinator Theatre. Admission is free for students and $10 for the public. Registration is required and tickets are available online.
The Wheeler Center is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization offering Montanans the opportunity to discuss critical issues from multiple viewpoints and foster the development of informed public policy. It is named for Burton K. Wheeler, a former U.S. senator from Montana who served from 1923 to 1947.
The event is titled “When Does Justice Become a Tool of Injustice?” The discussion will feature author and historian Nathan Masters, who will share highlights from his 2023 book, “Crooked: The Roaring ’20s Tale of a Corrupt Attorney General, A Crusading Senator, and the Birth of the American Political Scandal.” Masters will be joined by Marc Johnson, a political historian and Burton K. Wheeler biographer, for a Q&A session with the audience.
Masters’ book discusses the 1923-24 investigation led by Sen. Wheeler into the corruption of then-U.S. Attorney General Harry Daugherty, and the U.S. Department of Justice. A scandal that Wheeler’s committee uncovered forced Daugherty to leave office, which Masters said shaped the future of political accountability in the U.S. and paved the way for future high-profile Senate probes such as the Watergate investigation. The discussion will touch on what can be learned from history, drawing parallels to today and allowing for analysis of the contemporary political landscape.
“Together, we’ll dissect this fascinating historical period to understand how it can help us navigate the political climate today,” said Mikey Gray, the Wheeler Center’s program manager.
There will be light snacks and beverages available to attendees. Following the program will be a book signing with the author, with copies of the book for purchase provided by Country Bookshelf.
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