Middletown transcript., 1868-05-09
Letter from Baltimore.
Correspondence Of The MddletOpn Transcript.
BALTIMORE, May 9th, 1868.

The subject which at present occupies
the attention of the public mind in this ci-
ty is the recent exposure of corruption and
bribery in the City Council and the ac-
cusation of improper transactions against
John Fl. Barnes, City Register. The
facts of the case, as far as can be ascer-
tanned from the evidence made public, are.
as follows Some time since, the Western
Maryland Railroad Co. found it necessary
to issue bonds for the purpose of raising
money to complete the road and pay for a
part of what had already heen done, and it
was proposed that the city of Baltimore
should pledge it's credit and endorse the
bonds issued by the r. r. Co. thus ena-
bling them to be disposed of to greater ad-
vantage. The Council appointed COM
mittee to examine into the condition of the
road and upon the representation of this
committee and through the exertions Of
some members of the Council the resolu-
ton to endorse the bonds was passed. 1t
now comes out that three of the men,
bers, Messrs. Bullock, Oster, and Charles,
received from certain persons connected
with the road the sum of one thousand
dollars with the promise of two thousand
more, for their "services and influence" in
obtaining the Iassage of the said resolution
through the City Council, thus selling
to private corporation, their service as
public officers. In consequence of this
these three gentlemen have been expelled
from the First Branch of the City Council
But this corruption was not to end witt
the passage of this resolution, but ther,
must be an additional profit got out of thu
unfortunate road, before our honorable
City officials could let it pass from thei
hands. Itwas zen regle" that the bond
should pass through the hands of the Cit,
Register before they were given finally t.
the President of the Road. That office
called upon the Register, it is asserted
several times for the purpose of procurin!
the bonds, having been offered from 80 t
92 cents for them, but the Register de
clined delivering them, making one excus
and another, but at the same time offering
the Presidet of the Road So cents fo
them. This offer was declind until fror
financial pressure the Road was obliged
accept in order to obtain money to pay O
contractors. At the same time, it is al
legged, the bonds were selling in open mar
ket for 80 and 92a cts, and it is naturally t
be inferred that the Register pocketed tn
difference of from to 7 cents for his es
, pecial use and benefit. This is brio
summary of the affairs as they stane a
present.
We have undoubtedly fallen. anon
3 strange times, and it seems impossible
e find pure man among politicians now
: days.
The disgraceful harangue of Donnell
u in the House of Representatives on Satul
day, has attracted universal attention h
, attack upon Washburne was exceedingl
vulgar and ungentlemanly. His antag'
mist, however, is ''foeman worthy of h
steel" and as they are "having it ouI
now, before committee, it witt be ha,
to tell, from the dirt thrown during tt
). conflict, which will come out the dirtiest
y The impression seems to prevail
Washington to-day that impeachment is
i, failure. ATHos.