The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-03-09
Legislative Corruption.

The Philadelphia Press has some remarks
on the alarming spirit of corruption, bar
gain, and intrigue, which at the present
time seems to pervade our legislative as
semblies, from Congress down to the NUM-
cipal authorities of our smallest towns and
cities. These remarks are so opposite that
we have no hesItancy in endorsing them
Integrity (says the Press is one of the
most important requisites in a legislator.
1t was an axiom of Jefferson that " the
whole art of government consisted in being
honest )" and although we certainly think
that intelligence is exceedingly desirable, if
it is unaccompanied by honesty of purpose
its tendencies are rather to iLiure than to
benefit the people. One of the most unfor-
tunate aspects of the times is the prevalence
of corruption among those entrusted with
power among a generous people and if the
present rate of downward progression con-
tinues, the day is not far distant when dis
honesty among legislators and officials will
become the rdle, 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 Generalization is an exag-
gerated one, there are yet many circum-
stances to give it plausibility.
At this moment the Missouri Legislature
is investigating charge in regard to the
offer of $4,000 to bride its members to
support 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 gigantic scheme of corruption was
detected in Wisconsin, which involved the
SNTh hot Al
Legislature. In Indiana, within the last
few years, developments were made effect
ing the character of many members In
Ohio, they are even now suffering from the
robbery of a large portion of the public mo-
ney by the State Treasurer, to whom it was
entrusted. The Legislature of Delaware
has recently granted lottery privileges IN
der very peculiar circumstances New Yorl,
! city is constant prey to undisguised plum
! der in every conceivable form and shape
and Philadelphia has helped an infnit,
number of rascals into Office by her eleetiol
! of defaulting Treasures, shameless and cor
rupt Guardians Of the Poor, venal Boards Q
health, jobbing Councilmen, and infamou'
Legislators. At this moment Congress
! discussing the report of the Naval Invest
| eating Committee, and another investigai
ing committee is now examining q chare,
| against a member of the House COMMITTEE;
of Claims, which accuses him of demanding
portion of a claim in consideration of b
aid to secure its passage.
The American people are honest All,
patriotic, but their Legislators and ofiicia :
as body, do not represent the virtues }
the nation. Not few representatives rel,
upon little cheap demagoguism to atom
for whole sessions of villiany. If this gtra
| system of free government fs to contin III
unchecked in its glorious and benefcent 1
reer, some method must be devised y
checking the prevailing corruption Tn
people themselves must be deeply arous Il
to its evils, and become more judicious an
considerate in their selection of public OH