The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-01-22
CORRUPTION IN CONGRESS.

The at entioH Of all who take All. res, in the
affairs Of the Nation, has been mucn drawn of
late to the evidences of corruption in Con-
gress. 1t has become almost morally impos-
sible to get an act Of honest and straightforward
legislation passed. A Billha to depend not on
its merits, but rather upon the ability of those
of the "third house" as the lobby is now call
ed, and upon the depths of the pockets of
those interested. No art CT lobbying which
The Imagination Of man could conceive, has
been unemployed. Money, and official posi-
ton have been long the efficient engines for
making votes, and it has recently become
matter Of Newspaper comment. that women
are influential members Of the ''ihird house,
securing manv votes for important measures
by their smiles and fascinating arts.
The surface of this corruption, has been
lately rutfled somewhat by the unexpected
dropping into it of a troublesome stone. An
editorial appeared in the New York Times,
charging members Of Congress and lobby
agents with gross corruption in regard to the
Minnesota Land Bills, wherupon Mr.. Kelsey,
amember of the House, from New York, call
ed the attention of that body to the matter
This caused debate, during which Mr.. Paine
of North Carolina. confirmed the statement of
the Times, and further stated that he had been
offered $3.50, by member, if he would vote
for The Bill. The consequence was, CON-
mittee of investigation was appointed, with
power to send for, and examine witnesses.
That committee has been at work, though as
vet, there have been no public lntimations as
to who are the guilty ones.
We hope this matter will moi end in gas, but
that it will be sifled thoroughly, and that eve-
ry guilty one, we care not to what party he
belongs, will be found out and be held up to
the gaze Of the people. A contemplation of
the character of some of the men who are ap-
pointed TO make laws for us would have a
wholesome effect, and teach the sovereigns to
select better men for Their servants.
If it continues for long time, that corrupt
men are suffered to rule the country, it might
az well be acknowledged that the American
people are incapable of self government, and
the experiment abandoned. 1t is on this very
ground, this monstrous and damnable corrup-
tion in high places. that all the great Repub-
lies of the past have fallen, and IT will be well
il Americans take warning in time, and avoid
the causes of the common ruin. There is the
power IN the people to punish corrupt officials,
there is virtue and intelligence sufficient to
enable them 10 discriminate between the good
and tho bad, and ii is only necessary that they
should will it, and every dishones. and cor
rapt politician in the land will fall and like
Lucifer, never to rise again
We hope the proposed investigation will be
prosecuted vigorously, and to successful is
sue. We hope that every one Of the detesta-
bic scoundrels whose very life it is to corrupt
legislation, may be brought to Justice. Nor
should that be the end of it.. Every aspi, ant
to official station should be compelled to un-
dergo the strictest scrutiny of the public, and
whenever even the slightest defect shall be els
covered in the moral character Of any one, il
should be sufficient to disqualify him for any
Office. II this qualification can not be found
in nen Of ability, and who possess other
qualifications, let men without ability be cho.
sen. An honest man without ability, is inf
nitely to be preferred to dishonest man
though he may possess the talents of Web
ster. To do nothing is better than to do harm.
Until this RULES practired it were idle to look
for good and wholesome legislation, or tn ex-
pect that the welfare and honor OF our eoun.
try will be promoted.
THE NEW YORK TRIRUrNr