The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-06-10
The Red handkerchief:

Th0 Ae0 HanoA
In late number of the New York Trib-
ane Horace Greeley gives the following ac>
count of the novel way IN which his political
friends passed or defeated certain laws which
were pending before the Radical legislature
of the State:
ga red handkerchief denoted the manner in
which the members were to vote. Whenever
the Clerk had read the title of bill, in which
there was 'bone,' tie leader, if he considered
his Ring satisfied, would march to the front
of the CleIk's desk and gracefully blow his
nose with his red linen. Every member of
the Ring would vote in favor of the measure &.
If, on the contrary, the leader should careless
ly hold the handkerchief toward the floor, that
denoted that his followers should vote against
the measure. Many project was carried or
defeated BY that red handkerchief, and it was
much terror to the applicant for legisla-
tive favors as were some of the Executive
Committee eff the Assembly of 1863. "
We do not know what was the color of
the rag under which the uirtuous members Of
our last and most corrupt legislature were
rallied by the leaders Of the various rings,
but we presume the present State Treasurer
could furnish the information. The evidence
in support of the charge of corrupt practices,
which has been so frequently made of late
years against radical legislatures, is clear
and conclusive. We regard Congress as
more corrupt aud debauched than even the
New York or Pennsylvania legislatures
Nor does it seem to detract in certain quar-
ters from the standing and reputation of
member of Congress. that he is known to be
open to the most shameless corruption
James NJ Ashley is a conspicuous instance
Of how a self confessed coreupt Congressman
can be rewarded by the President of party
claiming to possess all the morality and de-
cency in the country. Rspudiated by the
people of his own district and driven from
the halls of Congress, President Grant takes
him into his confidence, condones his often
ces, invests him with high and important
public trust, and a radical Senate stamps
the disgraceful appointment with the seal of
its appreciation.
The distinctive feature of legislation in
this country at the present day, is corrup-
tion. 1t pervades Congress and all the rad
ical State legislatures to a frightful and
most alarming extent. While it almost JUS
ti6es the conclusion that no radical legisla-
tive body can be pure, we do not all pre-
tend to say that all democratic legislators
are honest. We know, and knowing regret,
that Montgomery county and Philadelphia
cityeach sent democratic member to the last
legislature, who were the worthy peers of
the most vensl scoundrels in that body.
A member of the legislature can sell him
self and prostitute his Office in a variety of
ways. He can do so as we'll by lodging
vote as by standing up with brazen face
In support of an iniquitous law. During
the last session of the Legislature, when the
final vote was taken on the nefarious coal
and petroleum project, which was amongst
the most Infamous measures manipulated by
what was known as the Treasury Ring"
tsoenty-ttro members of the House were ab-
sent and failed to vote. They were all in
Harrisburg, and no man there who was fa-
miliar with the ways of legislation, doubted
for moment that each one of them had been
purchased. Thievry is the rule and honesty
the exception among the law makers of the
present day. Both political parties are just
now demanding that a different order of
men shall be sent to the State capitol to
make their laws. We will see whether they
will be able to effect the reform
S