, 1873-02-07
THE REMEDY FOR LEGISLATIVE C0RRUP.
TON.

THE REMEDY FOR LEGISLATIVE C0RRUP
TON.
The Nation aud the New York World drar
the game moral from the Credit MobiIier ecanta
which The TRIBUNE has already advanced
1.-THE Government must get out Of the Protec
tive business" says the Notion, "and the Sub
sidy business, and the Improvement and De-
ve1opment business. It must let trade, and
commerce, and manufactures, and steamboats,
and railroads, and telegraphs, nlons." This puts
the case in q nutshell. Political virtue is not
an article that can be provided by statute, no1
enforced by exposure and punishment. Il
oakes Ames should ba expelled, along NTH
those who were equally guilty in sharing his
spoils and accepting his bribes (all Of which is
very .doubtful), the moral force of the punish
ment would be lost with continu-
ance OF the same opportunities and tempta-
tons that have already betrayed men Of the
highest standing. There is only one way to
guard against frequent and dagrant 1epetitions
OF the Congressional depravity which tho Credit
Mobflier investigation has developed. There
must be no beds of corruption to tempt our pub
1ic men with their luxurious ease. Take away
tho opportunities altogether, and officie1 cor
ruption would disappear altogether. As this is,
perhaps, practically impossible, these opportuni-
ties must be limited aud narrowed down to those
emergencies which irnperatirely demand Gov
eminent interference or Government aid. Such
Government assistance Was not 80 demanded for
the building OF the Pacific Rai11oads- The fact
has been demonstrated beyond the possibility OF
doubt that every dollar which tho Govern
ment loaned the enterprise (and which the
Government will evidently have to pay) has
been stolen and given away. In addition to
actual money aid, the Government gare outright
enough lands from the proceeds of which the
railroads could have been constructed. These
lands waro likewise absorbed in tho fsprodts
of the construction contracts. That which at
one time appeared to be necessity, in order to
build railroad to the Pacific, is thus proved
not to have been needed. The road could have
any Government assistance. Indeed, it was
practically go constructed, since a11 the Govern
nent contributions found their way into the.
pockets Of Legislators and Legislative cor
Eupters.- When ne are told now that it
is necessary that the Government should
assume the telegraph lines OF the country, in
order to ''protect" the people sga,nst e1tor-
ion, does not the history OF the Union Pacific
md the Credit Mobiler warrant doubt as to
he accuracy Of the statement7
The only public safety is found in the broad
principle that Government must abandon all
business Of a private nature. That which is
lone may be permitted to rest; but for the fn-
;ure let us have no moro subsidies, loans, land
grants, Government aid, or Government protec-
ion over industrial enterprises OF any sort.
People are never 80 well protected as when they
protect themselves. They never receive 30 much
or their money as when they invest it Oh their
'"n account. II they are obliged to do business
trough factors OR financial agents, let every
nan select his own- We do not believe that
he capitalists OF New York Or Boz
On would voluntarily indorse the relections