The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-05-09
Bribery and Corruption.

In Pennsylvania and New York GER
tam Republican journals have spoken
with great plainness in reference to the
dishonest practices which abound in and
about the Legislatures of those States
At the six of doing their party some dam
age they have shown disposition to do
the public service. The Democrats. in
stead OF seconding their endeavors, seek
to turn these incul pations to their advan.
tage. With a sactimonious assurance
they exclaim Turn these disreputable
fellows out, and put US, in, and see how
incorIuptibly we will behave. What they
care for is not the rectifeation of abuses,
but to get back into power.
Now we doubt not there is fair pro.
portion of honest men among.the demo-
Gratis, and We have said, and now repeat.
that we prefer such to the dishonest mem.
bers OF our ewn party. But we do not
suspect that In proportion to number. the
democrats have anything to boast of in
point of integrity. They have been tried
both at Harrisburg and Washington, and
have turned out full average of scamps
In all departments. Indeed, as long ago
as when General Jackson was President,
1t was held to be wisdom to retain a no.
torlous plunderer in Office distinctly on
the ground that his pockets were full.
whereas, If he should be put out, and an
other substituted, the new democrat would
fill his pockets likewise The correspond
euce on this head was laid before Con-
gress, and by its order spread before the
country. No attempt was ever made to
deny this record or to explain it away
That was in the early day when democracy
was comparatively young and pure. That
1t has grown any better since we lack
evidence for believing
Let any man scrutinize the vote re-
corded during the late session of our Le-
gislature, on bills commonly reported to
have "money in them," and he will not
come out of the investigation with the idea
that the democratic members were care
full to "avoid the appearance of vil"-
Take the Free Railroad Bill as one, and
the Conncllsville Railroad bill as another.
Take all the bills of this class, and see if
the democrats did not dirty themselves as
freely and entirely as the republicans.
We do not make these suggestions to
excu pate or extenuate the conduct of re-
publicans; but to show that Legislative
corruption, which has grown to appalling
magnitude, is not to be com batted effect
ually in this way. Both parties are too
deeply involved in it, for either to make
capital against the other, among iutelli-
gent people, by claiming exemption, either
comparative or absolute, from the conta-
gion. In view of established facts, all
bcastings of fimmaculativeness by any par
ty, may rather be taken as indicative of a
willingness to wink and connive at the
debauchery. The truth is remedy of
most searching character must be applied,
or all legislation will soon become pur-
chaseable by the highest bidder, except
such as political parties may desire for
their own ends as organizations. The peo-
pie must take hold of the subject in earn
est, resolved that the laws regulating judi
cial proceedings shall be SO altered as to
promote inquiry, not to suppress it; to
bring the guilty to punishment, not to Of
fer them immunity.-Patsburg Gazette.