Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-12-17
FROM ths PhIIadrlphia Journal.

CONGRESSIONAL BRIBERY.--The charg-
es so often made against our Legislators
are often dismissed without thought as the
calumnies and falsehoods Of opponents, or
the reckless exaggerations and inventions
of newsmongers A statement recently
made cannot be SO set aside. The Prcsi-
dent of the Iowa Air Line Central Rail-
road, in his letter of resignation, asserts
that seven hundred thousand dollars we're
paid by the Company as the price of GER
tain grants of public lands by Congress
To be sure, this amount was not actually
given in cash, as il was taken in the shape
of land and then exchanged for stocks.
The fact, however il may be modified, is
astounding and frightful We are fond of
boasting Of the cheapness of our govern
ment; but if we multiply each bill which
comes before Congress by half million.
it will be seen that things are not managed
so economically after all
Before treating of this subject, however,
in the abstract, We would remark that this
charge should not be forgotten. It is
made by respectable person, and Con-
gress should, out of justice to itself, inVes-
tigate the matter. Here is something
tangible and direct railroad com
pany is nearly ruined by the expense Of
bribing Congress, and its president pub
fishes the accusation to the world. If
that dignifed body, which is to assemble
in Washington in less than fortnight had
any regard for its reputation, we might
hope that this roguery would be inquired
into. Any expectations founded on their
self-respect as legislative assembly arc
baseless, but one might think some mem
bers would be ready to do their duty.
This, though, is also unlikely, and we need
not look for any steps being taken toward
exposing and Furnishing these plunderers,
who could be, in this instance, SO easily
detected. Unfortunately this, we are as
sured, is not an exceptional case. Things
have come to such pass that no bill,
whatsoever its claims, can secure sufficient
votes upon its own merits This is the
concurrent testimony of all conversant
with the workings of affairs in Washing
ton. If we we're not familiar with this
| fact, it would be somewhat startling. 1t
is hard to rouse into indignation and alarm
public that hears with stolid Indifference
that no law is enacted in this country with
out downright bribery.
A Senator declares that "tbis is the
most corrupt government in the world"
and we nod assent and forget all about it,
We are told of the despotism of the "Lob-
BY" but we are still unmoved. A good
authority states that most of the legisla-
tion last year was settled in gambling
hell, and we get SO far, perhaps, as to draw
up our eyebrows and look astonished. Re-
ally, if it be possible that anything can be
more wonderful than the utter corruption
of Congress, it is the equanimity with
which we all talk about it. No doubt can
reasonably be felt upon this subject II
is indisputable that the men in Washing
ton are, as rule, dishonest and unprin-
cipled. Away from the restraints of home
and friends, among the most accomplish
ed villains of everp stamp to be found in
the world, with every temptation to mis-.
lead them, they almost invariably lose the
little conscience which their previous ex.
perience in politics had left. There was
good deal of truth in the reply of the
chaplain who was canvassing for re-elec.
ton. He was told a Universalist minister
promised to save them all for the same
money. "That, retorted he, "is befors he
has been here. Let him learn what a sci
you are, and even he will consider an offeI
to get one-third Of you to heaven extreme
| ly liberal"
! This thorough Generalization of oul
legislative bodies is a pregnant commen.
tary upon the system of universal suffrage
and presages no good for the future. L
is unsafe to draw conclusions from singl,
facts, but the character Of men in Office il
enough to inspire US with dread. A mem
, Der Of our State Legislature was once sale
to have had list of the names of tn,
members, with their prices opposite, s,
that he could tell, by reference to his pa
per, just what it would cost to get bill
through. The exaggeration does not seen
. so great, after reading of the shameless
dishonesty of Congress. 1t would be o
: little use to complain if a remedy coul'
not be found but, as il is not wanting, i
is the duty of all good citizens to agitat
this question till something be done. B
, enacting stringent laws against those VIII
. offer, and those who accept bribes, directl
n or indirectly. and subjecting those accus
= ed to prosecution in the courts of justice
the evil could be checked.
Is Now, the traditional principle of tn
K privilege of the House" protects crimi
nails, but as it is no longer necessary {
;. guard a member from the tyranny of tn
sovereign, whose influence might overaw
the courts, let that privilege be abolished
z and the offender be subjected to pros,
q cution before tribunal that will not d.
: eide merely according to political preju
o dice. If some means of stopping its col
5 rupton be not provided, Congress had bel
: ter be abolished, and the Capitol be rsze
IS to the ground. II the city, which shoul
exert a refining and elevating infuenc
In upon the country, become a sink Of il
4 innitY a den Of blncklegs a centre froI