The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-28
IN THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE


~, rsnort of the committee appointed 10 investigate
tn alleged corrupt acts of the Wisconsin Legislature
- 1856 is a startling document The corruption was
cticed by the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad Com
NV the object being to secure the passage of Dill
a9tnp land to that company. The committee report
80 the bribery was wholesale. In the senate, mem
n' oeiyed in bonds and stock OF the company, the
am of one hundred aud seventy-hv thousand dollars,
n amounts individually varying from $40 900 70 go ooo
Members OF assembly received 1885, 900 IN Individual
inns of So 600 $40 900 and $40, 900. OF course these
s were paid only to those who voted IN favor Of the
tnl and the amounts deposited with holder, AS
M senator's and members declined 10 trust the promises
u the directors The lieutenant governor the private
starv the comptroller, the Legislative clerk, and
,heu also received similar amounts; and after the
eror had signed the BILL 500 900 were given to him
% This delicate part of the business arranged is de-
d in the evidence OF Byron kilbourn president of the
nnany and may be taken u sample Of the utter
hameessness of the whole proceeding. Having heard
ht the bill had been signed, kilbourn called Gov
~ Bhford He expressed his sense Of gratitude for the
Gu spirit he had manifested He took occasion to de-
~ bis friendly sentiments towards the Governor with
h hone that they should enjoy his confidence long
scal relations should bring them together and added
THAT in consideration of the past and prospect Of the
sre the company felt disposed to extend 10 him pc
o compliment if lac would feel at liberty to accept it,
m mid that with the views and purposes expressed by
me he should not feel a liberty 10 define compliment Of the
Id and uoud accept Of cheejaHy. then stated that
w at an early day place in his hands the bonds of the
company to the amount of $50 ,000 c
Mr. Kibourn protests that there corrupt in
,nt" in this transaction, it prompted by any
nnworthy motive 1t was he adds, solely 'sbecause
deemed necessary to opas has feelings scM reference
nMs future operations Of o1 company s'Such were my
onJy motives" says the ingenious Mr.. Kilbourn
Distinctly stating to him at the time that wished
This gratuity to have influence upon any official act
which might henceforth dcyolye on him hereafter to
erlonn On his part, believe he accepted it for the
reason that he thought the company could well afford to
k;,, t1rnf I,in itaVU nsutur Idnttt-
are while to him the was large enough to confer
mi benefit D In pursuance Of this conversation subse-
ouenty placed in the hands of Governor Bashford the
bonds of the company the amount of $50 000 and ut
aAter period exchanged with him SIS 900 into money
spar Q presume this would have been done from
time to time Ind the condition of the company permit
I'D"
The investigating committee reported bill designed
10 secure stockholders against such wholesale robbery,
and to punish directors others who should perpctate
the acts of plumber and corruption which have been fs
tened upon the managers Of the La Crosse and Milwau
ke road Bat parties interested in the perpetntion OF
these outrageous abuses thwared every attempt to bring
up the bill for action, and the Legislature the 18th
adjourned sine die