The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-09-05
CORRUPTION fN coNaRFss.

~~~' - >~@~~~'
During the late session in Congress, wherein
members wero ticketcd with prices about as
openly as goods in shop window. and cor
ruption staked rampant through tho hall Of
the House of Representatives, n COMMITTEES
was appointed at tho instance of some moro
honest than others, to investigate some Of tho
charges of bribery and fraud Mr.. Letchor,
the chairman of the committee, mndo report,
which, though necessarily imperfect, for want
Of timo TO continue tho examination. to cor
tain extent exposes the character of our r1n-
tional legislation. and lifts tho veil with which
the subject has been partly onshrouded.
"The means and appliances says tho re-
port, "which arc resorled to by interested par
ties, to secure the success of their measures
are numerous, and such as are supposed to be
adapted to tho characters, views, necessities
and objects of those who are to be Influenced
Ambitious cieios are held mp 10 tempt some; Pc
cuniary considerations haze their influence up
on otherss and third class. who possese In a
high degree. social qualities, who cultivate and
enjoy the pleasures of social intercourse, have
such temptations spread out before them in
tho greatest profusion, and richest abundance
The report then goes on to say:-
"Those who are employed in tho prosecu-
tion of claims, or are endcayoring to secure
the success of measures of personal or private
nature, are generally shrewd, experienced. and
| intelligent, who have seen much of the world
| and its ways, and who have schoolcd their
thoughts and tasked their enorgies to devise
the best means of comprising their ends.---
Such men, by their tact and talent, know what
means can be used most effectively, what APP
pliances will be most likely to secure the end
they are seeking to attain, and as their profits
are most generally contingent, they are ready
| rna -, kkos, L., 10 h.,
case of each individual. Dealing with such
men, it is exceedingly difficult to get at the
exact state of facts, in such Investigations as
this committee has been prosecuting, and
hence it is that the evidence hcrowth presen-
tod proves that they hare refused TO respond "a
such questions as toiH shotc the amount Of mon
ey or other means ,chich they haze used 10 secur.
The success of the scheme in tctich Mey are inte
rested, and the eract individual application o
the money. Agents, attorneys, and letter wri
ters, have been employed, as proven by tht
testimony, to urgo the passage of Colts ant
other bills; and yet, when tho committe,
came 10 inquire os to the amount of money
which had been expended for these purposes
it is found impossible to get definite informa
ton that was in any way calculated to inform
the committee either as to the amount expen
ded, or as to it's application. Witnesses refu
ocu W ouSWcT lUQuiIieS uUCCitu 10 tutul VI
these points, on the ground that the Commit
tee had no right to inquire into their "pyiuai
business Sufficient, however, was obtained
To satisfy the undersigned. that means hat
boon improperly used to secure tho passag,
Of various bills mentioned and referred to il
tho testimony, that combinations had beer
proposed and formed by various interests, snd
that, in some instances, these combinations hat
boon successful. The undersigned believe
that ii is clearly established by tho testimony
that money has been literally used TO secur
The passage Of bills, and they verify believe tina
much moro evidence could be procured, if time
had been allowed the Committee to mako
moro thorough investigation of tho measures
which havo been, or are now, pending befor,
Congress-"
Enough is shown in this report 10 convinct
every one of the Inducements which arc helC
forth to scoundrels to got u seat in Congress
Ii momber chooses to turn ponny by a sal,
Of his vote, there are thousands OF chances fol
speculation, and those who are employed il
buying them are generally "shrcwd. expert
enccd mon. who have seen much of The worlt
and its ways" who keep their own counsels
and will not divulge "the exact state OF facts.
1t shows, too, that"ambitions viows arc held up b
some. of course by those high in power, wh
are able To crafty ambitious aspirations. an
J thus bring the representatives of the peop.
into subordination to Executive demands.
shows, furthermore, that there is no remcd
for the venal, shameful corruption with whic
!: Washington is reeking. except in the peopl
themselves-in their primary gatherings, an
at tho polls. Unless they choose tor reprcscn
taiivcs men who are proof against the seduc
} tions and temptations OF tho metropolis, the
will be robbed, cheated ana swndled as Ion
' rs the country cndurcs.