Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-10
CORRUPTION OF VOTERS.

the New York Senate is more than dis
grace to those who elected him. If ii
were only shame to them it might be en-
dured in silence. But it has that in ii
which is alarming as well as disgraceful.
This man Tweed is already condemned
public robber in the popular opinion. The
evidence of his guilt has been spread al
over the country. No intelligent mar
pretends to deny that it is conclusive. His
agents and confederates in crime are flee
ing the city, or hiding themselves and
their booty at home, while he himself is
under arrest to answer in the courts Tor
the outrages which he has perpetrated up
on the people of New York.
But it is not the fact that he has robbed
the city of New York Of million dollars
while filling an office of trust and respon-
s;bility that we now care to notice, but it
is that having committed this great crime
against the people of that city he has been
able by the corruption and decentralization
of the suffrage in his district to be elected
to the Senate. That such thing could
occur is alarming Tweed's robbery is
small affair compared with the condition
of the morals of community who by
voting for him could give him an endorse
ment as man fit TO make laws for the
community. He is but one man and may
be dealt with by the laws of the land; but
where cities, districts, and States make
such men their representatives in the leg
islature, the case is one demanding the
serious attention of all who have an inter-
est in the perpetuity of republican insttu-
tions.
We have no idea that the Senate of New
York will admit Tweed to a seat. Legis-
lative bodies are cowardly, but it would
be more audacious act to admit him
than reject him. He should be spurned
from the door OF the Senate by every men,
Der, and probably will be. The man who
would vote to receive him should be re-
garded as an accomplice of the thief His
admission would be tantamout to the con-
fession that robbery is no bar to service in
the New York Senate, that crime is no
disqualification to maker in that
State. The State will not endure the
odium of such a man sitting among her
legislators. He may share his load of vii
lainy with the corrupt voters of his dis
trict, but not with the honest people of
the rural and honest parts of the State.
Even the democratic party whose child he
is, whose ticket bore his name, and whose
organization is responsible for his election,
will not dare press his claim to a seat.
There is no concern, therefore, about
the chances of Tweed as Senator. That
will take care of itself. But how is it
about the state OF things which make the
election under our laws of such men as he
possibleP This is the subject which de-
mands consideration. Are the masses of
ignorance, vice, crime, that can be led,
bought, coaxed, or used in any way to eff
feet the election of men guilty OF high
crimes to office, to be permitted to use
New York; An honest election in the
city is impossible. The lowest class rules
the city. The honest vote has no chance
of success. After one of the most start
ling and effective expositions of public
rascality ever known, the biggest rascal
of all, by the power which he yields over
the scum of his district, bids defiance to
public opinion and elects himself to the
most important body in the State. And
there is no prospect of improvement with
out some restraining measures. The
gangrenous condition of New York is seen
in other large cities. What remedy shall be
applied is the question to be considered,
whether to restrict suffrage SO as to ex-
clude the class that makes this corruption
possible, either by an educational OIL
property qualification, as requisite to vot'
ing. or by placing city affairs more direct
ly under the surveillance of the State, oil
by any other means that may be feasible
and proper. 1t is evident that suffrage
as now witnessed in New York is moi
liberty but tyranny; not right but wrong
not the uplifting and protection of the
poor and ignorant but the crushing Of
honesty and exaltation of rascality. Pub,
lie corruption spreads everywhere under
this influence, and if not restrained will
work the destruction of the republic.
Remove the means by which corruption is
engendered and increased. and then it
will cease, or at least be so checked that
it will not be dangerous.
Russia presents an idea to the civilized
world. She teaches her soldiers to build