New-York tribune., 1869-06-25
ORGANIZING AGAINST CORRUPTION.

The Citizens Association has transmitted a
circular to many prominent citizens through
out the interior of our State, urging the forma-
ton Of kindred associations in their several
localities. We hope the suggestion may be
needed. Had such an association been formed
at each county-seat five years ago, and since
kept in vigorous activity, many Millions would
have been saved thereby to the taxpayers OF
City and State alike.
Our Legislators are exposed to great tcmpta-
tions. Some of them are honest, as tho world
goes on reaching Albany. They are not pre-
OBSTINATE villains, 80 far as is obvious to
human ken. But they soon hear Gn whis-
peri how A. or b. has made $1,000 by yot-
| ing for a bill that does MT look rery bad, with
n sly intimation that others might do well
! If they had common sense. Very often, they
| first earn the wages Of sin by voting for n
| bill that they think ought TO pass but they
have now entered on n down-hill road and
will soon be asking not What is it but How
much
Many first go wrong while fancying that
their constituents will never hear of it. They
would MT vote away those constituents rights
or money, but this bill concerns some City
franchise or salary, and their people Cthey
fancy will never hear nor think Of it, So they
sell themselves for n price, and soon awake TO
the consciousness that their reputation Is gone
any how, so that they may hcnceforth take all
they can get, and be hung for an old sheep
rather than lamb.
Now an organization of quiet, resolute, plain
speaking taxpayers in each County would
save scores of these weak sisters from ruin.
1t would speak in season the needed warning
that often comes too late. 1t would create n
healthy, ,intellgentpublcs sentiment which mem
bers would knOD that they must not defy. 1t
would deter some conscious villains from seek
ing nominations, would lprevent others getting
them, and would defeat somo of the worst,
though ever so regular and backed by strong
party majorities.
AS q rule. we think these associations should
not nominate but tell either party frankly,
Some of us are Republicans others Demo
"crats, while few are not much of either;
"but we are all pledged to defeat, if possible,
"bad men by which ever party nominated; and,
if both parties nominate unfit persons, we
"shall try to have third man come forward
"who will beat them both" Holding reso-
lutely this position, citizens association may
Our Citizens Association has done good It
would have done far more if those whom it
has sought to shield from robbery had CO.
operated with it as they might and should
have done Too many seem to think that,
because we have good form of government,
they need not trouble themselves rs to its adj
ministration; which IS as though a farmer
should calculate that, since the weather is fine
for hay-mahIng, he need not cut his grass.
Thoroughly good government cannot be had
so cheaply as most rich men and men in bust
ness seem to suppose. One honest, faithful
days work per annum from each citizen would
secure us very fair rule but majority grudge
even two hours. and seem TO thnl, il Il hard
ship if they are detained two hours at the poll.
We cannot get on this way. as our taxes al
ready show. We trust our friends in the in
terior-for their own sakes as we'll rs ours
will form Citizens Associations.