Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-02-24
Rates, History.

We see that nm ex-member of the
legislature, Mr. M'Kinstry, from ons
of the eastern counties. advertises fifty
copies Of Bates History at public sale
Now this 10 as clear a violation of law
No was the selling of cadetships by
whittemore, Coyode, and others. and
we think MKinstry. be he democrat
or radical, should be attended to al
once. This Bates history Was printed
at the expense of the state. and cost
the tax payers over half 9 million dol
lars, and il was to be distributed gra-
tuitously by the members Of The senate
and house, for which purpose each
member received his share Of copies.
But the people have received very
few copies of the work, and many who
have it, had to pay for it, We, M
publishers Of n paper, were entitled to
copy, but no Bates history did we
get. The order TO print this work
was a swindling piece of speculation in
the first place. and the manner in
which members Of the legislature have
disposed of it-selling the copies they
received from the state for gratuitiOus
distribution among their constituents,
lis the second and mesnest swindle
connected with this treasury plumber
ing job. and every member guilty OF
this violation Of the law. should be ar
rested and punished. If we had any
faith i'm the integrity Of the Pennsyl-
vaniA legislature, we would advise
them to investigate this matter. and
have the guilty ones exposed, but M
too many Of them were 'unprincipled
enough to engage in such disgraceful
work, any attempt at IN investigation
would be stiAed or should q commit
tee even be appointed for the purpose,
it would bring in 4 white-washing re-
port, rs is usually the case in matters
OF this kind-it would be like prosecu-
ting satan in his own court. Thous-
ands ofcopies Of Bates history have
heen printed at the public expense.
vet few are to be found among the
,,eopIe, members keep them back, to
-wap of at corner groceries and tobac-
cnnists for chewing tobacco and Ha-
vana. cigars, with which the costly
Krussels carpets Of the senate and
house are soiled and the atmosphere
efthe capitol chambers is yitiated and
nlade offensive in addition 10 the odi-
Hm attaching TO them from speculative
Jobs and plunderings Of the treasury,
dating back many years. See that
nice, slick senator there. with heels
cucked upon his desk. cOmplacently
Pufing up white coils of cigar smoke.
from an expensive Havana-the lii.
tle cloud which so fantsstically bounds
from hin mouth, and which be
watches until it is dispersed. 10 a
Bates history SOfDg mp IN smoke. See
that fellow with fancy tobacco box.
Bho struts around the hail Of the
house. with cheeks distended by q
suid, aRd Offering q fellow member a
''chaw," he carries about him an air
that means TO say. ] carry the COM
nonwealth ia my braIns. observe how
he bespattes the carpet with a vile,
staining liquid FROM his mOuth--a
Bates history has furnished him the
tobacco. the juice of which be souirts
over the newly laid carpet with such
perfect ncn~chsiancs,
We observe that q nsembes has of.
cred a resolution to print another edi.
tion of this work. In the name OF
tha tax>payers Of the state, we protest
against carrying this Bates history
swindle amy farther; If members Of
the Legislature wasb TO hsye mn hon.
est puhIic sale. Let them no hsma. sell
off tbair personal traps. and send the
proceeds to the state ss conscience
money.