North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-06-08

ssPickingS ana SteahmgS."
The downright corruption of Congress
never before was 50 glaring or SO disgust
ing. The Northern Pacific Railroad bill
has brought out into relief the full meas
ure of selfish fraud of which the present
working majority in both Houses is capa-
Bile. This railroad bill gives away to pri-
vate parties, for actually nothing, countless
acres upon acres of the public lands; and
it is not even denied in Washington by the
successful managers of this wholesale rob-
berry of the nation, that the bill has open
ly bought its ,cay through the House. The
characters of the men that ore now sent
to Congress may readily be inferred from
such statement of facts. They do not
expect, with certain honorable exceptions,
to hold Office long, and they are disposed
to make all they can out of the position
while the opportunity lasts. They are
utterly unscrupulous and thoroughly venal.
They are ready to sell their votes to the
highest bidder, reckless of the disgrace
they must bring upon themselves, and Of
the ruin they may bring upon their nation.
Their cupidity overwhelms their con-
science. Their lust for riches crushes out
even their love for their country.
1t it is sad commentary upon the prac-
tical merit of our republican form of gov
ernment, when we behold so many repre-
sentatives Of the people, all affecting to be
upright and independent, bought like
sheep in the shambles by railroad specula-
torsl 1t is mournfal spectacle to wit
ness SO much, and such palpable venality
on the part of men supposed to be selected
by the popular judgment for their intel.
lectual wealth and moral carability But
the picture becomes especially painful
when we reflect that the present federal
administration pretends to represent "all
the dece ncy" Of the nation as well as all
its patriotism. Congress and the Presi-
dent rejoice in being called republicans, y
in contradiction to the democrats" who,
almost exclusively, ruled this country 70,
the first seventy-6ve and most fourishing
years OF it's national existence. They re.
joics in stigmatizing those democrats.
"rebels," thieves. and SO on. Yet, the en-.
tire previous history of the United States
cannot begin to show such multitude Of
schemes for robbing the public treasury as
have been put into successful practice since
the advent of the sol disant republicans
into political power. The annals of the
Union may be searched in vain for par
alell to such barefaced bribery, such un
blushing corruption, such a thorough con-
tempt for all general and peculiar regard
for individual interests, as characterize
the majority in both Houses of Congress
at the current moment.
This is strong language, we admit, bu,
We sincerely believe it literally deserved
Fer the past ten years host of unworthy
men have foated into Congress upon the
popular war wave of the period. They
have had no popular fitness for the place
but have indulged in hypocritical pre-
tence Of suparpatriotism that has answer
ed, in season of excitement, very well
instead. They have had little sense oi
honor, few scruples: "self;" was and is
still the motive exclusively impelling their
speech and action. These are the kind o!
men who sell their influence with the de-
partments, and obtain cadetships, consu l.
ships, &C., for those willing to pay fol
such appointments These are the kind
of men who vote away millions Of acre.
of the public lands to every corporate
humbug that knows how to cross tht
etching palms" of such misrepresenta
tives. These are the kind of men tina
had ten millions of dollars divided
amongst them during the parturition o
the present Pacific railroad undertaking
and expect, perhaps, ten millions more ou
of the project of the Northern Paeifi'
road which has just gone to the United
States Senate. How can we anticipate
anything like prosperity while such cor
morants continue to suck the very lif'
blood out of the heart of the nation
How can we hope to anihilate the fel
spirit Of reputation, while such aride!
compel US to submit to unnecessary taxa
tion ia order to make good the 'ricking
and stealings'' they indulge in SO exten
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