Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-06-23

CORRUPTION IN THE W lsCONSIN LEGIsLATURE.-Ihe
report of the committee appointed to investigate Ger.
tain alleged corrupt acts of the Wisconsin legislature
of 1856 is startling document. The corruption
was practced by the La Crosse and Milwaukee Rail-
road Company, the object being to secure the pas.
sage of bill granting land to that company. The
committee report that the bribery was Wholesale
In the Senate members received in bonds and stock
of the company, the sum of one hundred and seven.
ty five thousand dollars, in amounts individually
rying from 100000 to $4,000. Members of assem-
bly, received 1855 900 in individual sums of s. 900,
$4,000 and sec, 900. OF course these brides we're
paid only to those who voted in favor of the BILL and
the amounts We're deposited with holder the
ators and the members declined to trust the prom.
Uses of the directors The lieutenant governor, the
private secretary, comptroller, the legislative clerk
and others, also received similar amounts and after
the governor had signed the BILL $50 900 given
to him. How this delicate part Of the business was
arranged is detailed in the evidence Of Byron Xii.
bourn, president of the company and may be taken
sample Of the utter shameessness OF the whole
proceedings. Having heard that the bill! had been
signed. Kibourn called on Governor Bashford He
expressed his sense Of gratitude for the liberal spirit
he had manifested. He took occasion to declare his
friendly sentiment towards the Governor, with the
hope that they should enjoy his confidence so long
rs official relations should bring them together, and
added:
THAT in consideration Of the past and prospect
of the future the company felt disposed to eXteLd TO
him pecuniary complim mt if he would feel at lib
erty to accept it. He said that with the views and
purposes expressed by me, he shouM not feel Mt lib
ertv to decline compliment Of the kind and aoould
accept of it cheertully then stated that would at
early day place in his hands the bonds Of the
pany to the amount of 100000"
Mr.. Kilbourn protests that there no corrupt
intent" in this transaction, nor was it prompted by
any unworthy motive" 1t was, he adds, solely
because deemed it necessary to propitate his feel
ings uith reference to the future operations Of
ASurhx Op1y
ingenious Mr. Kilbourn-
"Distnctly stating to him at the time that I
wished this gratui,y to have no influence upon any
official act which it might henceforth devolve on him
hereafter to perform. On his part, believe he &C.
ceped it for the reason that he thought the compa-
ny could well afford to make such donation with
out doing it any material damage, while to him the
sum was large enough to confer a real benefit CD-
In pursuance Of this conversation, ! subsequently
placed in the hands of Governor Bashford the bonds
later period exchanged with him 81 900 into mon
ey at par. presume this would have been
done from time to time had the condition of the
company permitted"
The investigating committee reported bill design.
ed stockholders against such wholesale rob-
berry, and to punish directors or others who should
perpetrate the acts of plumber and corruption which
have been fastened upon the managers Of the La
Crosse and Milwaukee road. But parties interested
in the preparation ofhese outrageous abusest hwart
the legislature on the l7,h adjourned sine die.
PATERNAL DUTY-A writer in the London Leisure
Hour makes the following remarks, which as full
of truth as they are of good common sense:
"The father who plunges into business so deeply
that he has leisure for domestic duties and pleas.
ures and whose only intercourse with his children
consists in brief word of authority a surly lam
entation over their intolerable expensveness, is
equally to be pitied and to be blamed What right
has he to devote to other pursuits the time which
God has allotted to his children9 Nor is it an ex-
cuse to say that he cannot support his family in
their present style of living without this effort
ask, by what right his family demand to live in
manner which requires him to neglect his most
solemn and important duties? Nor is it an excuse
to say that he wishes to leave them competence.
Is he under obligations to leave them that compe-
tence which he desires? Is it an advantage to be
relieved from the necessity of labori Besides, is
money the only desirable bequest which . father
can leave to his children? Surely well cultivated
inteects hearts sensible to domestic Affection the
love Of parents of brethren and sisters; tase for
home pleasures; hsbts Of order regularity and in.
dustry; hatred Of vice and vicious men, and lively
able legacy inheritance of property, simple
property, purchased h the loss Of every habit which
would render that property . blessing. !"
HuRRAs ron ,JrsnY.--Mrs Goldschmidt denny.
Lind) recently gave birth to twinsone OF each sex
Here Ne have another edition in two yolum a. Of
Goldsmith e Animated Natnres !" 20 30
= The Baptist Esdpsinsr says that sixty per cent
OF the money for charitable and religious plr.
posss g used up ia . xpsnsel. 2.