Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-01-26
whithpr are we Tending


among us--in everybody's mouth, on every
body 5 tongue. Corruption, political cor
ruption, legislative corruption, executive and
official, mas been fixed fact in our history.
Corruption in all parties-corruptioni in lead
ing partizans-corruption in political meas
ures-corruption in the dispensation Of pat
ronage and official bonesses.
How shall we define it How present in
one pregnant sentence true idea Of its IN
herent nature-its nscpcrable moral tnrpi-
ptude1 It is to pervcrt in any sense and
in any way, the measures, the appointments
the powers OF government, whether lcgsla-
tive, judicial or executive, from common to
private ends, from catholic or universal to
individual or partisan aims-whether on
larger or smaller scale--whethor secretly or
openly whether with redccming hypocri-
sv or with an unblushing avowal Of rascal
ity-ths is political corruption. How may
those who have been intrusted with COM
mission sacrcdly intended for the common
good permit private feeling, private parti-
IAN interest, or private recuniary gain to in
trrde themselves without violation of the
solemn oath taken aud Remembering
breach Of sacred trust.
At no time in our history has there been
such unblushing, outspoken determination to
wicld the Legislature of our State for private
and partizan ends as at the present.
Months in advance of the election, and We
might add, in advance Of the nominations 1t
was currently rumored that the Legislature
to he convened this winter, and now in ses-
sion, would pay" The paying" measures
were even then upon the tongues of pot
house politicians, and political trcksters-
There was the Lottery interest "the sale or
transfer Of the Canal" 1.-The Baltimore Pas
sengcr railway" "the removal Of the capita
ton tax on the Washington Branch and
.'the Eastern Shore Rail Road That there
were politicians Fighting shy" in reference
to legislative nominations and assuming
calm indifference" as the day for the assem-
bling of County Conventions approached,
was more thar once suggested. 1t is not to
be wondered at then, that surprise was ex-
pressed in many quarters rs to the complex
ion of the tickets, as they appeared in III"
several counties Of the State, followed by sun
dry comments upon the self sacrificing devo-
ton Of certain would lie patriots and po!itl-
clans.
We are told that Annapolis swarms with
an INSCRIPTIONS lobby influence, to which
daily accessions are being made from all parts
of the State. The speedy, and We adalmost
said the hasty and inconsiieraie adoption OF
the Revised Code has nipped whatever ofbooty
may have been expected from the. first named
source. We think it safe to say that moth
ing can be made out Of the Lottery intiu-
ence." Would that We could say as much for
the remaining items.
The reports from Annapolis inform us that
the City Passenger Railway Bill is before
the House of Delegates, with any amount o.
lobby influence to back it and suticiency of
money to make H"pay." OF one fact we are
well assured, that the incorporation Of TIT
Philadelphia Company cannot succeed as Il
PARTY measure. Can it, ought it to succeed
upon its merits! Has it any merits in fact
If we are to take the Press Of Bait. as the ex-
ponent of the people upon this subject, 1t
cries with but one voice, and that IN coIdei-
nation Of the transfer to the Philddeiph'aHs
The Sun, Republican, and Exchange OF
the one side: the Patriot, Clipper and Ameri'
can on tie other. In addition to this VT
have the voice of the able, sterling, and I'M
tlinchiug American Mayor in his late message
prescntnc lis most earnest remonstrance a
gainst the confirmation Of this most shameless:
transfer.
In the face OF these earnest protests nnc
wise Recommendations, ii the Legislature thro
any under influence, whether Of money OIL
otherwise, should see fit to deny to the PEG
pie Of Baltimore "a fair participation in tht
enterprise, they will justly expose themselve'
to the censurc OF honest and confiding constit
encies. We trust for the honor Of our coun
ty that Allegany will stand as unit in op
position to this fraud and therein at least
meet the jus, expectations Of those who sent
them hither
As the other matters, to which reference
has been made, shall come up for considera'
tion. we may take occasion to present our OWL
and what we believe to be the voice Of oul
people in regard to them.
! &-o-S
! As it seems daily more and more probable
that the Legislature will adopt the Police Bill
submitted to it, the aspirants for the offices
! .. l. ,roo,aJ n ra r,,ltiplv inu rapilly The