New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-02
LEGIsg.ATEyE C0E'BIPTEON-
WHAT ~ TO BE DnN.,

The appalling fact that very large proper
|tion Of those elected to legislative and munich
pal stations habtually maze mefchandise Of
the public rights and Interests committed TO
heir charge is not Invested Of its peril by odJu.
rations to silence nor by ALLEGATIONS OF igno-
rance. Whether We speak or .orbear, the crime,
.he shame, the danger remain. There Is 40
sba.ant Seccssiouist. no hopuleat Rebel, who
Is this day more decided. more culpahle pub
lie enemy than the legislator who markets his
vote, the lobbyist who acls as his broker, OF
tic spcculator in claims, contracts public work,
OF franchises. who is the ultimate purchaser.
Not til the brand of Cain is burnt into the fore
I held Of each Of these. and until they shall be
hunted through the streets Ike mad dogs, viii
there be any adequate security FOX pirate prop
crty or public morals. And 60 this con-umna-
ion all good citizens must actively contribute.
We are assured by those who had means of
knowing that at least two-thirds Of the Mem
bers Of our late Assembly had votes to sell-did
not wait nor need 20 be tempted, but were on
the lookout for brides. II a bill was
brought to their notice. they asked if there wa
"any money in it'-that is, whether there
we're persons who could afford TO pay to have ~
passed or defeated. II there were. the next
cuestion in order was GLOW much ?"-thcn,
followed the application Of a diyisor. And, a.,
IS yeas are required 70 pass bill in that House,
the cync will be amused, while the honest man
must be grievcd on noting how many bills of
consequence were passed by s. % 20 votes.
But enough Of the noisomc abomns'ion,
wlereat the whole State is already holding itsi
nose, What is The trle remedy
We hear that certain distinguished ciiizensI
have already been asked TO stand as candidate
Tor The next Assembly. and chat there isayeryI
general conviction that change must be had.
so far, web. But q stream does not ri-c abovc'
its fountain, and no change viii prove adequate
and permanent which does not involve radical
reform in our machinery for grinding out can
didates. There may be iitul and partial
amendments, but they viii an prove traneitoryI
aqd abortiye if the present system OF Primary
Meetings and Nominating Conventions be re-
al cd and ocquiesced in.
This machinery would seem 10 have been de-
Used By Knayory for the elevation Of plastic,
.scile Mediocrity. Oyeucsch q Go. have fast
med coyctous eyes on certain public property
r. franchise which they wish to appropriate.
Beinc too well known TO run in person, they
after consultation, agree on Stiggins as the mani
for their money. He is an easy creature, ofnoI
particular account, who eagerly bites at their!
bait. being only too happy &c, to do What
ove,. /, required of them. So q ticket IS nadcl
ont for the ensuing Primary, which lot oil
roughs and shoulder-hitters from the handiest
erog.shops are hired to PUT Though, and they
do If. The Nominating Convention meets, does
its predestinod work promptly and neatly, and
the general public rubs its eyes next morning Oh;
ononinc its newspapers and reading Of thcI
fitness of Stiggins for a legislator,
ond tbe enthusiasm evoked by his unanimou
nomination. So he gets elected, and does what
.,o, foreordained, subsding at the close of the
so.s;on into his original nothingness, rich, III
famous and satisfied. For, having served
N, turn Of his inventors, he is at liberty to
serve also his own; and he sells his vote under
every horse.shed within mile Of the Capitol
for sums which in the aggregate yield him a
snug independence. He has hiied his pockets,
satisfied his real masters, and is now ready to
stand back and give Jiggins chance-and so
! it goes.
The Primary mill grinds out this sort OF grist
lis not set to grind any other. The men tit
for legislators whom it turns out are accidents,
not SO rass a. earthquakes, nog 50 plentiful as