St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-03-17
Political Corruption.

think that intelligence is exceedingly |
desirable, if it is unaccompanicd by
honesty Of purpose its tendencies are
rather to iniurc than to benefit the
people. One of the most unfortunate
aspects Of the times is the prevalence
of corruption among those entrusted
with power by generous people );
and if the present rate of downward
progression continues, the day is not
far distant when dishonesty among
Legislators and officials will become
the rule, and honesty the exception.
Indeed, there are those who fear that
this low point of political degradation
has been reached already. Though
such an estimate of the existing de-
mOralization is an exaggerated one,
there are yet many circumstances to
give it plausibility. An odor of ras-
cality hangs round nearly every repre-
sentative branch of Government III
the country The State Legislatures
reek with it; the municipal corpora
tons are constantly being involved in
| the commission of ncfarious acts :;
and the National Government, in its
Legislative and executive branches,
which should be an example of digni-
ty, purity, and integrity, is the very
reverse, and strengthens rather than
checks the turbid tide of corruption.
The Missouri Legislature is investiga-
ting charge in regard to the offer
of $4,000 to bride its members to
support a new banking scheme, and
the halls Of the Legislature of Illinois
ring with grave charges, involving the
integrity of a number of prominent
politicians. Last winter a gigantic
scheme Of corruption was detected in
Wisconsin, which involved the whole
sale purchase of both branches OF the
LSS iSldIuit' III lluidlli, "llulH tuc
last few years, developments were
made affecting the character of many
members. In Ohio, they are even
now suffering from the robbery of
large portion of the public money by
the State Treasurer, to whom it was
entrusted. The Legislature Of Della
ware has recently granted lottery
privileges under very peculiar circum-
stances. New York city is a con-
slant prey to undisguised plumber in
every conceivable form and shape :;
and Philadelphia has helped an inf
mite number Of rascals into Office by
her election Of Defaulting Trcasurers,
shameless and corrupt Guardians Of
the Poor, venal Boards of Health, job
! bing Councilmcn, and infamous Legis-
lators. Congress has been awaiting
the report of the Naval Investigating
Committee, which, it was expected,
would present many astounding de-
velopmemts, and disclose a degree of
| pecuatiOn, fraud, cXtortion, and down
right robbery of the public funds that
would disgrace the most corrupt age
and the most corrupt Government of
the world. Another investigating COM
mittee has been examining q charge
against member of the House Com
mittee on Claims, which accuses him
Of demanding portion of claim Ill
consideration Of his aid to secure its
passage.
The American people are honest and
patriotic, but their Legislators and Of
ficials, as body, do not represent the
virtues Of the nation. Not few rep
resentativcs rely upon a little cheap
demagOguism to atone for whole SEES
sions of viIlany. If this great sys-
TEN of free government is 20 continue
unchecked in its glorious and bcne-
ticent career, some method must be
devised for checking the prevailing |
corruption. The people themselves
must be deeply aroused to its evils,
and become more judicious and con-
siderate in their selection of public
officers. They must totally destroy
the system by which few miserable
tricksters, who arc frequently among
the most debascd specimens of humani-
ty that the race produces, select the
nominees of the respective parties,
and thus force their favorites upon the
public. AS it is, corrupt men have
often far better chance of success
before the tribunals which really con-
troll parties than honest ones and
while the discriminating and respecta-
bic portion of the people either stay
away altogether from the polls, or are
marched up only to ratify and legal
ize tickets labelled with their party
names, and formed by the bascst in
iiuences, we must expect very much
such a state of things as now exists.
Candidates are not chosen to repre-
sent the interests, the intelligence, and
the patriotism of the virtuous masses
they are chosen to represent the
rowdy, shoulder-hittinng, reckless
crowd. Whenever the people take
this matter into their own hands, eth
er by attending the nominating con.
ventionsof their respective parties, or
by sternly striking from all their tick
cts every unworthy name, better
state of affairs may be anticipated.
Besides, there is entirely too much
legislation. The country is becoming
4 al,