Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-02-27
HOW BUSINESS Is DONE AT MADISON

| A western member, whose name we dc
not feel authorized to give, but we voucl
for his integrity and good meaning in al
til ings, writes us general account of the
manner business is conducted at Madison
He says that it is almost impossible to
keep clear of cliques and speculators.-
Members are net all hours by agents AM.
,lesighing men for all kinls of objects,s some
good, some tad. He says:
We are compelled to listen to them, for
the custom is to treat every man as a gen
tleinau. Bribery is not openly proposed
but all sorts of offers are constantly made,
many of which can mean nothing but bri-
berry. know of some members that |
have good reasons for believing will vote
for any measure for a trife. [ do not
think there are many such, but they are
sufficiently numerous to give democratic
majority hen il is wanted or Republi-
can majority if needed. Trey are a
floating set of spectators belonging to
both parties, most of them democrats
10 illustrate: in the matter of gold pens
and stationery, they were we'll drilled; the
democrats wanted the bill to pay for large
quantities of gold pens and stationery, to
pass in order to make cry against Re
publican extravaganza. MANY of the best
men of both parties opposed it, but found
they could not procure the passage Of i'm
portanl measures unless they would vote
for this gold pen and stationery law-or
ut least dodge the vote. | was told that
| if | would dodge that vote, the gold pen
party would go for certain measures of
great public interest. Refusing to answer
| was told that my favorite measure to
stop local Legislature should be defeated
Thus, if a member let it be known that he
wants bill or law TO pass, the cliques
and combinators are ready to oppose, UNI
less he will agree to 90 for their selfish
measures. Men OF all parties are alike
guilty while some of both parties are in
nocent of intended wrong. The Demo-
Gratis, many OF them, do all in their power
for long session and extrava- ant expe;-
tlitures in order TO njure the Republicans /;
this is not true of all Democratic Members,
but there are enough false and evil Re-
pntlicans to join them and form majority
most of the time in the Assembly.
The writer further says:-I have had
mach exp rience iii legislation and find
that it is the quality of men and not the
party we must look TO for good laws
The Republican men of the present legis-
lature, as general thing, are far better
men than the Democratic members, but
this is not tue of all. Say a tenth or
more Of the Republican members are as
dishonest, unprncipled and false set as
ever saw, and for bribe will hel make a
Democratic aajority for any measure.
The Investigating Committee are at
work, bat what must he the results
answer nothing. Many of the most prom
inent men in the State, principally Demo
Ecrals Of the Old Barslow side-but also
some leading Republicans, have been car
rving on swindlng the State, bribery and
corruption for years. They are lcagued a
gainst the investigation, and throw all The
obstacles in the way that they can invent.
i'rijnry and deception are their chief.
shields. 1t will amount to scarcely any.
thing. Better to forget the past and be-
yin anew Gov. Randall 10 Il hust against
lie rascals and fhe had the power would
expel them from the State. They can
make no compromise with him, not fol
all the State. You, Mr.. c.; made CAPT
tai hit when at the convention You worked
and sweat for Randali'S nomination. Had
known him, too would have went fol
him first and all the time.
The writer thinks it will take years &c
establish regula rity and economy in Wis
con iii !, gislation-thinks the chief cause
OF the trouble is in the people, who do no.
seem TO understand or Gre for whom they
vote.
A cLINGHER- WALK Ss@TEsyIMoNY.
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