Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-12-30

pane in French cafe; little bit Of
of cold beefsteak morscl Of corn bread
arc given away by charitable quarter
master (who is pretty sure to have with
him a fair share of creature comforts) as
though he were distributing diamonds.
CONGRESSIONAL vENALITY.
A member of Congress writes, in pri-
vate letter. No one can imagine to what
extent influence is sold here. THE tr affic
lis carried on very extensively, and the
virtue of the poor fellows who came on
here to do things without pay is sorely
tried by the splendor and luxury in which
those live who fill their pockets with the
fees obtained in this way" Nobody who
has taken an inside view of Washington,
or has had the means of learning the GUS
toms prevalent there, eau doubt this.
There is reason for satisfaction with the
recent exposure made in Senator Hules
case, because if properly followed up by
the press, and by the interrupted portion
of Congress, the abuse may be corrected.
or at least abashed and compelled to secrc-
sy, and so the public scandal be dimin-
ished.
Mr. Wade of Ohio has introduced bill
into the Senate to punish such transac-
tions as those confessed by Senator Hale
and defended by Senator Johnson OF
Maryland. The bill is a good one, but
it is national disgrace that the necess-
~ty for such bill should have arisen in
the highest legislative body in the county.
1t will be still darker disgrace if the
bill fails to pass. 1t provides for fine
and imprisonment and perpetual incapac-
ity for office, as the punishment for accep-
ting pay as counsel, attorney or agent in
any civil or criminal case to which the
government of the United States is par
ty, or for the procuring of any contract
or other like service 1t is bill against
congressional venality, against bribery
and corruption in its worst form 1t is
said in behalf Of the congressman whose
hands are foul with brides that some law
yers in Congress resign their seats if
they are not allowed to practice their
professions" in Washington. Let them,
by all means; the country will lose moth
ing if the whole troop of mercenaries 90
home aud give place to better men. But
this talk about professional business is
all sham, Those splendid fees, counted
by thousands, are not paid for legal
knowledge and skill not a bit of it, as
the members accustomed to handling them
will find, the moment they resign their
seats and so lose their influence as SEN
ators and representatives. The case is so
plain that it is only necessary to state it.
But the Seuate must do more than pass
Senator Wade's law. Mr.. Hale has asked
for inquiry into the case. Let it be grain
ted, and let it be honestly and thorough
ly made. Let the facts come out, in their
real significance, with no covering up or
whitewashing and let Mr. Hale have the
full benefit Of the fact that he has COM
mitted no unusual offence but is sustained
and kept in countenance by the too com.
mon practice of the members. Indeed, if
the Senate inquisition should be made
general, and the House would also insti
tute similar investigation, and both
would make full exposure, without fear
or favor, it would he the healthiest vpe-
ration that has occurred at Washington
for many "a day. But we may not look
for so radical an overhauling, There are
to many unclean hands seeking conceal
ment for that. The most we can look for
and it is the least that should satisfy
the peoples the passage of Senator
Wade's bill, and then its rigorous execu
ton. Let us see how many congressman
will resign their seats; in order to retain
their professional business" at Washing
ton.-.Spnnafeh Republican.
ca A good story is told of man in
Moretown who took his fatted hog to
MIL ~ ~ r,,