The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-10-07
Official Corruption.

Official Corruption.
In a recent speech at Lock Haven,
Mr.. JOHN II. ORvIs, of Centre county,
called attention to "the great |
" change which had occurred in public |
e sentiment, within comparatively
g brief period, upon the subject of off,
" cial corruption, and that not long
" since, whenever the charge of official
" corruption against public man could
" be sustained by reliable evidence, it
"was fatal to the standing and prospect
" of the individual, while now such
change, when proven, was met with
"the answer, We'll, he is no worse than
"his fellows.'"
Some twenty-five years ago, Mr..
James III. Laverty, then a member of
the Legislature from Clearaeld county,
was publicly accused of having received
pay for procuring the passage of GER
tain bills through the body of which he
was member, and as he was unable to
clear his skirts from the charge, such
was the storm of odium which fell up
on his head, that he had not the cour-
age to resume his seat, but absconded
from the State. In contrast, at this
time, scores of men, (readily named)
who notoriously accept compensation
for their votes, not only boldly occupy
their seats, but are frequently reelected
with full knowledge of their dishon-
esty by the electors, and, what is equal
ly reprehensible, command courteous
treatment in society and are admitted
to respectable association. 1t is no con-
ISOLATION to aver the palpable truth that
a constituency who elect a rogue, or
person under grave suspicion, are no
better than he. The abuse exists, and
it is high time that there should be
| thorough reform both as regards repre-
sentatives of the class in question and
in electors.
Another illustration is to be found in
the history of the late THADDEUs STE
VEINS. While Canal Commissioner of
this State, he squandered the public
money with lavish hand, for partisan
purposes. Although he was not accused
of appropriating any portion of it to
his personal use, the fact of what was
then regarded as public dishonesty, so
completely crushed him, that he passed
from public view until the people came
to look with less disfavor upon official
corruptions.
But there is still another and perhaps
even more dangerous species of official
corruption, viz: that of high officials
accepting presents of great and even
immense value, and then shamefully
comforting Office and high distinction
upon the donors, many of whom were
without peculiar fitness and were inca
pable of raising themselves from OBJ.
scurity by the ordinary means embra-
cling energy, integrity and ability. In
the early days of the Union, the profTer
of present to the President was not
only reproachfully rejected, but the pro-
posing donor was thereafter excluded
from Presidential intercourse, and mel.
ther public demand, public necessity, or
other cause, could have obtaind for him
Presidential appointment or personal
favor of any character. The Office of
President was then regarded with such
respect, both by the occupant of it and
the people, that even the slightest ap-
pearance of mercenary motive was
Stunned and condemned. What is the
state of affairs now, in that connection
Whose cheek would not mantle with
shame were the honest inquiry made
of him by person of another nation?
The remedy for all this evil is simple
enough, but will it be applied Certain
ly it is clear that the people must firm
ly determine to refuse their votes to
corrupt men, and also those under sus-
picion, or forever submit to the basest
and meanest villainy in public Office, at
their own cost and to their own oppres-
sion.
We say, withhold your votes from all
men who are even under strong suspi-
cion, for if you wait for such evidence
as would legally convict, you may keep
on electing rogues to Office until dooms-
day. There is great abundance of
well qualified men of undoubted integ-
rity to fill all the offices under the sun,
with myriads to spare. Let all selec-
tions be made from these. If any body
suffers by it, let him live so that he will
not be seriously suspected.