The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-11-15
BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION.

If what we hear from the Fourth Dis
trict of the manner the register performed
his office there, if law to punish a violation
of duty by the registration officers is any
thing more than farce, then the Register
of that District has made himself liable
to its most severe penalties, by striking
the names of persons from the list who
were boni fide voters and retaining and plac-
ing the names of others on the list, who
by the law were wholly disqualified. This
was done solely on party grounds; and
the list was mutilated while in the hands
of the Judges by the Register. The regis
try law as it now exists is one Of the great
est engines of fraud in the hands of an
INSCRIPTIONS, and dishonest party; and
none of the many rotten political institu-
tions of the State more loudly demands
reform than this law. A registry law to
be safeguard must require complete
registration to be made every year, and
the subject of residence is another fragrant
abuse. While constructive residence is
allowed, base frauds are constantly perpe-
trated, or liable to be. The Board of
Registration should not be confined to one
man who is sure to be selected because he
is willing to be convenient tool for the men
who recommend his appointment. Two
Registers from each District, one selected
from each political party should constitute
the Board of Registration.
Money played conspicuous part in the
last campaign, and more barefaced and
undisguised bribery was resorted to than
was ever before attempted We hear of
poor men being given Democratic ticket
with dollar note wrapped up in it.
Others were rugged out with new boots,
and other toggers. Men whose business it
is to whip round and rope in voters, and
who are ordinarily as poor as church mice,
were seen with pockets full of greenbacks,
busy giving and treating. The evidence
of the corruption and bribery practiced by
the Democratic party in the last campaign
grows daily. That the treasury Of State
and county will be drawn on to foot por-
ton of this large bill, there can be no
doubt. There is no check to dishonest
official in any county Office. And plenty
of opportunities for fraud in every State
Office. The Clerk to Board of County
Commissioners is both Treasurer and
Clerk. He handles the funds and keeps
all the books. There is no check but his
personal honesty imposed upon him. The
Commissioners know but little or nothing
but what is laid before them by the Clerk.
All the other county offices are run on
system of fees, which are a dead secret to
the general public; so that it is in the
power Of an officer to charge what he
pleases. The whole system of fees is a
loose system, constantly holding out temp
tations for corruption, and should be abol-
ished, or every office where fees are taken
in place of fixed salary, the officers
should be compelled by law to keep a
schedule of all fees posted up in their
offices, SO that every man, having business
to transact, would be able to determine
whether he was paying the legal charge
and no more. These reforms will never be
established till the farmers combine and
control the Legislatures; lawyers and petit
Jogging politicians who constitute our chief
Legislators have an interest in keeping
things as they are.