The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-03-19
So 90 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
roLlrIcAL coRRUPTION.

POLITICAL cORRUPTIOS.,
Integrity is one Of the mos, Important re-
qaisites in Legislation. Ii WIS an axiom OF
Jefferson that = the whole &C; of government
consisted in being honest - and though We
certainly think that intelligence is exceeding
| ly desirable, IL it is uaaccompauied by hon.
esty Of parpose its tendencies are rather to
iniure than to benefit the people. One Of tho
most unfortunate aspects Of the times il the
prevalence of corruption among those en-
trusted with power by a generous people;
and II the present rate Of downward pro-
greSsion continues, the day is not far dis
tant when dishonesty among legislatures and
officials vii! become a ra'e, and honesty the
exception. Indeed, there are those tho fear
that this low point Of political degradation
has been reached already. Though such an
estimate Of the existing Decentralization is an
exaggerated one, there are yet many circum.
stances to give it plausibilsy. An odor Of
rascality hangs round nearly every repre-
sentative branch Of government. in this.
country.
The State Legislatures reek with il; tho
municipal corporations are constantly being
inv alved in the commission Of nefarious acts,
and the National Government, in its lecisla-
tive and executive branches, which should be
an example of dignity, purity, and integrity
ss the very reverse, and strengthens rather
than checks the ,uybid tide Of corruption. At
this me,,~nt the Missouri Legislature is in
vestiga,ing charge in regard to the offer OF
$4,000 to bribs its members to support
new banking schcme. and the halls Of tho
Legislature Of Illinois ring with grave,
charges. involving the integrityo Of number
OF prominent politicians. Last winter gi-
gantic scheme Of corruption was detected in
Wisconsin, which involved The wholesale
purchase of both branches of tho Legisla.
tnre. In Indiana, within the las, few years,
developments were made affecting the char
acter Of many members. Ia Ohio, they
are even now suffering from the robbery Of
portion Of the pubic money by the State
Treasurer, to whom it was entrusted. Ths
Legislature Of Delaware has recently grant
cd lottery privileges under very peculiar
circumstances. The Legislature Of our own
State, never particularly noted for its puri-
,y, is not much more highly estimated by
those who are familiar with its operations,
at this moment than at former sessions
New York city is constant prey to undis~
guised plunder IN every conceivable forus
and shape; and Philadelphia herself has
helped nm infinite number Of rascals into
Office by her election Of Defaulting Treasu-
rers, shameless and corrupt Guardians Of
the Poor, venal Boards Of Health, jobblns
Councilmen, and infamous Legislators. AZ
this moment, Congress is awaiting the re-
port of tho Naval Investigating Committee
which in all probability, will present many
astounding Developments, and disclose u
degree Of speculation, fraud, cxtortion, aud
downright robbery os the public funds that
would disgrace tho most corrupt age and
the most corMpt government Of tho world.
Another nvestigating committee is now ex-
aiming charge against a member OF tho
House Committee on CLAIMS, which accuses
him Of demanding portion Of claim in
consideration Of his aid to secure its pas
sage.
The American people are honest and pa
trIotlc, but their Legislators and officials, a.
body do not represent the virtues Of tho
nation. Not few representatives rely upon
u little cheap demagogucism to ntone for
whole sessions Of viilainy. II this system
Of free government is to continue unchecked
in it's glorious aud hcne6cent career, some
method must be devised for checking this
prevailing corruption. Tho people them
selves must be deeply aroused to its evils,
and become more judicious and considcrate
in their selection Of public oficcrs--they
must totally destroy the system, by which
few miserable ,rickstcrs, who are frequently
among the most dcbased specimens Of bu-
manity that the race produces, select tho
nominees of the respective parties, and thus
force their favOrites upon the public. Asst
ls, corrupt men have often u far better
chance of success before the tribunals which
really control parties than honest ones and
while the discriminating and respectable
nf tta nj nit hne sfuv n Ia
gether from the polls, or arc marched up
only to ratlfy and legalizo tickets labelled
with party names, and formed by the basest
influences, We must expect very much sucha
state Of things as now exists. Candidates
are not chosen TO represent the interests, tho
intelligence, and the patriotism OF the virtu-
ons masses-they are chosen TO represent
the rowdy, shoulder hitting, reckless crowd.
Whenever the people take this matter into
their own hand, either by attending tho
nominating convention OF their respective
parties, or by stcrnly striking from oil tick
cts every unworthy name, a better state Of
affairs may be anticipated.
Besides, there is entirely too much Iegis-
lation. The country is becoming deluged
with mass Of senseless, useless, ill-digested
laws, and an accumulation Of special acts
comforting privileges upon designing men,
schcmers, and souless corporations, which
derange the course Of legitimate business,
and inaict serious injury upon society
Representative bodies attract corrupt ops-
tors as carrion attracts birds Of prey; and
rs n general rule, the amount Of evil done is
proportioned to the length Of their sessions.
A few adroit aud unprinc,pled leaders con.
troll legislation, entrap the unwary and mex
pcr,enced into the sanction Of unjust acts,
and retire to their homes to squander, in
riot and dissipation, their unholy gains, and
to concoct schemes to deInde the public into
their support, and to barter away their votss.
/" The world is governed too mueh," and
some effective plan should be devised for
making the sessions OF all representative
bodies either shorter or less frequent
Philadelphia Press.
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