The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-30
Legislative Corruption.

Legislative Corruption.
THE following communication, in reference to
the ground recently taken by us in regard to
the corruption in the State Legislature and its
remedy, contains a good deal that is true, as
well as a misconception of the steps necessary
TO remove the evil
TO the Editor Of The Evening Telegrdph:-
We are now having our annual newspaper
attacks upon a detunct Legislature Judging
from the past it is safe to predict that IN
three or four weeks the whole excitement Will
who are now denounced as corrupt will be re-
turned to Harrisburg without serious opposl-
tion from the people or the press Dnring urn gv tqe
il required pass eighteen hundred private bills
for all which they will be well paid aud
usual "blowing up" and then subside for
twelve months. This is said in no captious
spirit but simply because it is true. Last spring
we had in substance the same lamentations
over a corrupt Legislature, and yet, when the
same corrupt men We're renomlnated, not a
paper $50 far as the writer knows took ground
even timidly, against them,
II is much better to throttle scoundrels who
are about to rob you, than to send paper bull
let's after them as they run away with their
plunder. II is no easy matter TO break up the
corrupt political eomolnat,ohs t9at a now eXiSC 81,
secure the hearty, continuous, and bold co-ope-
ration of the press. The very moment that
the papers of this city will open their batteries
upon bad men of either party who are nomi-
mated in articles as fearlessly written as the
article in to-day's New York Tribune, on
Legislative Villany," rest assured that half
the work is done. The press very properly con-
trolls public opinion upon questions of public
No political convention can be called to-
gether, even in these degenerate times that
would be reckless as to put in nomination
for any Office man whose nomination, for
reasons stated, was generally opposed by our
city papers. Thousands of us who in pelitlcs
agree in nothing, except our desire to see
able and pure body of men in our legislative
chambers; have been for years anXiousiy wait; walt
ground" to fear that we shall die without the
sight
1t is, indeed, true that the popular indigna-
ton which follows the close of a Legislative
session almost entirely disappears before the
next election, and that those who are most
indignant in April against bribery and corrup
ton, vote in October for the return of the men
who have at least tolerated iniquity if no:
participated in it. Our correspondent grows
positively indignant over such fckleness, and
throws all the blame on the newspapers. If,
however, he would think for a moment we
doubt if he would hold the editors of the city
to blame. What alternative is presented to
the journals of Philadelphia, when we see two
political parties nominate two candidates, each
of whom is equally Objectionable Between
two political charlatans, the purity of either
of whom we would not trust, what choice i:
left but to support the one who pro fesses correc
political principles? The papers can Object
to a man, and point out the evil of sending
him to Harrisburg. They cannot nominate 8
good man, and if they venture to name one
whom they consider fitted for the position, il
is at once ascribed to personal favoritism, i
Lot corruption. The responsibility does moi
rest with t he papers-it is with the people
the people who are indignant at the course o
the journals, and who throw all the blame OF
them, when really it rests entirely on thOs
who complain. Our correspondent says tina
he, with thousands of others, is waiting tn
day of political purity, and asks us when i
will arrive. We return the question, and asl
the same of him and those who think lik
him. The reformation will commence jus
when the honest voters 60 to the primar,
elections and fight the fight there. 1t is at tn
delegate elections that the battle is decided
1t is there the candidates are selected. LIE
the gentlemen who desire reform atten
these meetings, and defeat the obiec
tionable candidate, and put good ma
in his place. 1t must be very bad man whor
we must go outside of the party to defeat. TIL
contest for purity must, if possible, be Tough
within the party lines. There have been fe,
instances where the citizens of party are S
disgusted at the nomination as to elect tn
opponent. 1t is at the delegate elections Ethf
the reformation must commences and unit
the people take the matter in hand, the onl
thing the papers can do is to point out I'll
evils and continue to advise the remedy. Th
we will continue to do, but we cannot expe
success until the dissatisfied cease to compla
and begin in good faith to apply the remedy.