New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-03
CORRUPT CLERKS-AND OTHERS.

CORRUPT CLERKS-AND OTHERS.
Perhaps the news of the day may seem to
make the statute of bribery and kindred
offenses, which we yesterday produced, more
Immediately applicable to Clerks of the Legis-
lature than to legislators. That is not our
fault. If it so happens that the same sheet
which carries out conclusions, that seem to us
inevitable, on the general duty OF this Legs
lature, rs cOnstitutiOnally the court OF highest
jurisdiction as to all questions affecting
the qualifications of its own members,
carries also the conclusive proofs that the OIL
GERS of this Legislature, more clearly than
any member, ha, Q violated the statute, 1t Is
not for us to shrink from tho necessary con-
illusions. If the statute quoted for the benefit
of Mr. Senator Wood falls first across the back
of Clerk Terwilliger, that is Clerk Terwllli-
gers concern. Ours il not "a gun loaded to
"hit if it is IA deer. or miss if 1t is call"
We did have the Senatorial deer in aim, but
if the calf will come in range-it Is bad for
the calf.
Therefore let us consider Mr. Terwillger.
The man who bought him, Mr.. Parsons, sheds
a flood of light on the proof-reading
awe keep proofreader in the Office but tits customary
ion. think wo would have paid Mr.. Terwilliger just
the same whether he read the proof or not
1t was always understood that the Clerk was 10 nave
twenty per cent. 1t paid him because 1t was IN
derstood to DO part Of the perquiSes of his office"
If there is any human being in doubt after
that testimony, as to the precise character OF Dir.
Terwilligers conduct, we commend to him
fresh study of this passage from the law OF 1888
every officer in the last section enumerated (which
mentions specifically any clerk or other officer OF the
Senate or Assembly, who shall accept any such
gift, thing OF value, or advantage or any promise
or undertaking TO make furnish the same
under any agreement understanding that his
vote opinion Judgment. action shall be inhn-
enced thereby. shall be given in any particular man
ner or upon any particular side of question matter.
cause or proceeding then pending which may by law
be brought before him In his Official capacity, or who
shall directly indirectly demand require propose TO
receive receive entertain negotiation or propo-
sition such gift thing OF value or advantage as
consideration motive for his official vote. action, or
influence, shall. upon conviction be forever disqualified
from holding any public office, trust, or appointment
under the Constitution or OF this State shall forfeit
his office and shall be punished by imprisonment in the
State Prison not exceeding two years, or by fine not
exceeding five thousand dollars. or both in the dscre-
tiOn OF the Court"
1t is Just possible-for the straits of this
poor, enmeshed creature are desperate-that
he may undertake to crawl out through the
small hole that his action was not, as the
statute reads, Influenced" by the twenty per
cent bride. Well, then, let us build stone
| wall across that last despcable hole. Hear
| again the unwilling testimony of Mr.. John ID.
Parsons, of the firm of Weed, Parsons g. Co,
the man who bought this Clerk of the Senate,
and naturally wants to give as few details rs
possible of the purchase:
eve never voluntarily offered to pay percent
age. Mr. Terwiliger mentioned the word percent
age. When the work done and completed. then he
would call on us, and had settlement Q. Did he
spend altogether for you as much time as month A.
should think not. We would have paid Mr. Terwiliger
Just the same percentage whether he read the proof
not. @. Was he paid then because he brought tho
printing TO you A. Well II he had mt brought the
printing us there would MT have been any proof for
| him to read-not for u.s.
| When it is borne in mind that every such
| confession of this witness brings him, under
| the statute, 80 much nearer Sing Sing, the
| truth thus extorted will leave no doubt in any
| rational mind.
And now, Messrs. Reformers Of the Senate
| this seems to leave you in the position Of
| having for Clerk o man forever disqualified
for any Office and due, for the next two years,
| at Sing Sing. Do you mean to dodge the
| issue7 Are the public to understand that this
man must escape because there are others of
YOU in the same bOat7 Be assured that no
citizen of the State will BIO left In ignorance
of your action, or of the reason for it
We do not forget that there il another
Clerk in the same category. We shall not for
get him-or forget any criminal, because of
the hint that it may involve people on our
-. IL how az in H. A.
side of Reform against Corruption, in what
ever party found, the side of honest men
against thieves. Punish these criminals, and
then show us the next Let him rank
where or how you will, be his name even
Mvord or Hustled, or what you will. we prom
Use to pursue an equally clear case of corrup-
ton, wherever found, with equal earnestness,
and to an equally certain fate With us. gen.
tlemen of the Legislature, Reform means bust.
ness. What does it mean with youi
Our readers are referred to statement