New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-12
THE HAMMER AND THE NAIL.

Hon. ME- Hahn has Just pointed
his first nail to be driven into
the coffin of corruption 1t is bill pun
ishing with an infamous penalty him who
offers, as we'll as him who is offered any
corrupt consideration for doing or for
bearing to do any official or representative
act. Originating, perhaps, in the ex-
ample of Tweed and Connolly possibly
perpetuated by Cakes Ames and other
ringIeaders who infest the purlieus Of
federal legislation, this epidemic has
spread over most Of the Southern States.
1t has spared no party, it has not
respected nativity, but men of all parties
and localities have suffered from its symp-
toms. No sooner is a Legislature chosen
than the lists are checked by the lobbyists
and the prices marked according to the
estimated value Of the merchandise.
The men selected for this despicable ser
vice are generally such as claim acquain-
lance with members elect, and especially
such as profess extraordinary facilities Of
social access, on the basis Of their po-
htical and other services. The beaks Of
the legislative herd are first struck down
by some extraordinary inducement. This
need not be money. It may be official
promotion But with the aid Of few
prominent men thus secured, the smaller
fry are easily gobbled. The result is,
that for very few hundred dol
lars in money with liberal sub
sides, contingent upon the passage Of
the appropriation thus plotted for, a ma
jority is secured for it's passage. Who can
compute the public debt and private mis-
cry caused by such schemes? The needy
legislator receives a few hundred dollars
for a vote which taxes his constituents for
millions His bride is soon gone, their
burden rests upon them and upon posterity.
Bribery is far from being confined to the
Legislature, it may be employed to secure
the act, or forbearance to act, of executive,
even of judicial officers. 1t may run
through all official business, until a free
American will have to grease the palm of
his own appointed agents, as if it were a
Spanish officer or an English lackey. It is
time this vicious practice was reformed al
together, and we shall be rejoiced to know
that Republican Legislature, Re
publican legislator, has been the first to
realise the vnporous promises with
which the public ear has been for many
months past ticllled. This is the gist Of
the,matter, and we will now see who will
stand resolutely up to it. The public
credit and the public character Of Louisf-
ana must be placed on pedestal so lofty
that the world may behold and admire it.
Imputations have been cast upon the in
tegrity Of the Republican party BY yenal
men, who, in conjunction with Democratic
partisans, may have feeced the public to
feather their own quarters This has been
done in Washington and elsewhere. Such
miscreants have no right to expect a great
and honorable party will be placed on the
defensive to cover their base gains, either
in natural OF local considerations
They must take the consequences, as they
monopolize the gains Of a dishonest opera
ton. We have not seen the bin Of Hon.
". Hahn. but We can easily write what It
should contain. Indeed, the House viii |
have performed its duties impertectly IN.
less the bill shall present such provisions
as the following: 1t should, first define
bribery or the attempt at bribery in its. f,
most minute sense; second, it should pun
ish equally him who offers and him who |
accepts or who shall receive a proposition
Of bribery without instantly fling infoyma-