New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-16
CORRUPTION AT THE POLLS.

The venal and corrupt legislation which has
cursed and shamed our State with others Is
direct and natural result of corruption among
the people. The stream does not rise above its
fountain-head An INSCRIPTIONS, unprincipled
fellow hears that he could make money If a
legislator, and resolves to try. SO he fetches
and carries, bargains and arranges, until he
secures a delegation devoted to his interest,
and takes it into nominating convention as
his stock in trade. He swOps off his votes
for sheriff, clerk, senator, judge, or what
ever else may be going, for the votes
of other delegations for Assembly and, if he
still lacks a few, be buys them outright (of
course, through an emissaTy) with cash. Thus
nominated, he buys votes wherever he can
thus obtain them, and goes to Albany two or
three thousand dollars out of pocket, and fully
resolved to make it up. His pay is but $500
for the session, which will not pay his board;
and this he makes an excuse for selling his
vote as often as he dare. But for bribery, he
would never have been nominated or elected;
now, bribery must make him whole in the
pocket; and it does. He sells himself as often
and for as much as possible, Teimburses his
outlay, and goes home with full pockets, a
scared conscience, and blasted name. Such
is the history of many; and each succeeding
Winter adds to their number.
Scoldine and excavations will never cure this
cancer. 1t must be drawn out by the roots.
And this will be effected by ratifying our
Amended Constitution of 1867. That Constitu-
ton was framed in full view of the evil by
men intent on devising remedy. This they
did, by raising the pay Of our legislators from
$500 to $1,000 per annum, and by adopting
this provision: .. 70
ART III. SECTION D. No person who shah receive, ex.
peot or offer TO receive or pay, offer promise 10 pay
paid used, any money other valuable thing who
shall make any promise 70 influence, or aB cOmpensa
cd tOs t9e or d vote az an
iS such cause the 50 co. before the In
receive his vote shall swear affirm before such In
spectors other officers, that he has not received
nor offered, does not expect to receive, has not
offered promised to contribute another be paid
or used any money or other valuable thing made
any promise TO influence or as compensation reward
for the giving or withholding vote at such election.
adoption OF this Constitution shall and from time
time thereafter may, enact laws excluding from the
right OF suffrage all persons convicted Of bribery OF
shall make, or become directly indirectly interested
in any bet or wager depending upon the result Of
election or the rlght 10 vote at such election.
Here the seller and the buyer of votes are
alike denied the Right of Suffrage at that
election, and any person offering to vote may
be challenged and his'vote rejected unless he
can swear that he "has not received nor Of
fered, does not expect to receive, has not
paid, offered or promised to pay, any money
or other valuable thing, as a CONDENSATION or
reward for the giving or Withholding vote
at such election" This cuts up corruption mt
the roots. To buy or sell vote subjects any
one to the loss of his vote unless he chooses to
commit perjury. And it is very rarely that a
man buys or sells vote so slyly that this Sec
ton would not bring him up. ,
There are some thousands of voters in our
State who make a practice of selling their suf-
frages. These will Of course oppose pre-
vision which utilities their stock in trade. How
can any honest man vote with themR
But tue Amended Constitution also strikes