The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-03-23
Letter from Dom Piatt.
WASHINGTON, March 16, 1869.
rnppTrDTTONS

Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial
WASHINGTON, March 16, 1869.
CoRRUPTIoNS.
The more we contemplate the work of
the fathers, in the formation Of our gov
ernmental structure, the more we are
struck with the singular wisdom shown
in its creation. Experience teaches us
that as we depart from their designs we
do so to our own injury. They based
the entire government upon the virtues
of the citizen; we shift it to the intelli-
gence. They placed the larger interest
of taxation in the immediate keeping of
the people, by leaving it to the States;
we concentrate and, therefore, remove
it from such care. The State Legisla.
lures, that were few years since ON
nipOtent, are fast losing their signifi-
cance, while we build up about Wash
ington the government of vast empire,
that is corrupt because it is in a great
measure irresponsible.
Nor have we gained in our Wanted
intelligence. Looking from the CALLER
les of either House or Senate down upon
the mass of degraded political wisdom,
and listening to the weary debates, one
is forced to the conclusion that either
we are without statesmen, as law-mak-
ers, or the process by which we elect is
very defective. Here and there, at wide
intervals, a head appears that seems re-
markable, through contrast. And if
one turns to the Globe where the net
result is put deliberately to print, the
disappointment is intense. Such a
library of brainless wind cannot be par
alleled in the world. In very shame we
ought to abolish the publication.
From the search for intelligence we
turn to the virtue to meet deeper dis
appointment.
The vast accumulated powers of the
general government are steadily turned
to the promotion of private interests.
For one general law, looking toward
the good of all the people, we have
twenty statutes passed for the benefit
of classes that prosper in proportion to
the wrong they accomplish. When Il
bounty is paid trade that the trade
may prosper, the bounty is taken from
the people at large. AS we cannot pay
bounties through tariff to the labor
ers and mechanics, the hurt then falls
with crushing effect on the laborers,
farmers and mechanics, who are the con-
sumers. If there is a trade, that can be
protected, as it is called, that is not
made lucrative through this unjust leg
islatiOn, do not know of it. We have,
therefore, not only high prices, added to
heavy taxation, buk we have govern
ment demoralized by mOneyed inhu-
enCes.
This power of money is the most de-
basing of all others, and it reaches into,
and controls, every branch of our Gov
ernment. A man can not be member
of Congress without being a rich man;
and this necessity is so apparent, that
if, by accident, poor man gets in, he
Immediately sets about curing the de-
feet, and comes out rich. In the larger
number of districts representatives to
the House are selected in reference to
the amount the candidate can contrib
ute; while seats in the Senate are nOto-
riossly put up at auction and knocked
down to the longest purse. am told,
| by all sides, that the scene at ALBANY,
when Morgan was defeated and Fenton
elected, beggars description. The can
didates were openly in the field, bidding
for votes, and gentleman told me that
| FentOn won because of his superior man.
agement. He had as much money, and
a better organization.
The notorious Chandler, of Michigan,
| is another lllustrious example. Rob
| him of that article Shakespeare calls
trash, and no man with o thimbleful of
brain would select him for any posi-
tion of honor or trust. He Drained his
competitors with his purse. Ifhe could
have only possessed himself of the
brain he knocked out of place, the poor
State he misrepresents would be largely
the gamer.
From the legitimate rascality to the
lllegitimate, we tnrn to find dead sea
OF corruption. Our Government is run
by rings. On every side we find Them
lmpudent, active, shrewd and unprinci-
pied. The cunning way in which they
trim their sails TO catch the favoring
breeze, Is worth a study. Just now the
cry is economy and an honest collection
of the revenue. The loudest in this are
the rings. Their favorites come in, ap-
plicants for place, with the highest tes-
timOnials of moral worth and stern in
tegrity. l was taking lunch with some
friends in Downing's rooms, under the
House, the other day, when my atten-
tion was fixed by a couple of gentlemen
evidently under the influence of old
rye. They conversed vehemently and
loud One said:
Thunder, you don't expect to run
i inf Why, he was refused admls'
sion to the Baptist Church, You know,
for seducing an idiot girl. Don't you
recOllect that rowT
"Never mind the row. We got SIX
teen Baptist preachers to testify to his
moral character. We're strong on the
morality. That's the 60 now."
Of course "that's the go now," and il
will be lame ring that fails to secure
the necessary certificates to good moral
character. But whether the stealing
will end on that account is further
along. We cannot make humanity in
a day, or change the evil workings of a
corrupt service by an inaugural.