The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1873-02-08
The Au1ean Stables.

in the minds of a large portion of those
exercising the elective privilege, that as
a matter of course, all men who become
candidates for office are struggling only
to obtain position for selfish and mer-
cenary objects. The possibility that a
man may possess some self-respect and
honesty, and yet allow himself to run for
a place of public trust, has become to be
thought a thing incredible. Too many
assume that all aspirants are alike, and
seek an election in order to become
licensed plunderers. The demoraliza-
ton which this theory has established is
witnessed in the fact that a large class of
voters exact the price of their services at
the polls, with the belief that the candi-
date when installed in power will in turn
get eyen,' by every eontrivance which
venality can suggest or corruption
achieve. The conduct of public officials
in every department of government has
in our day given the most conclusive evil
utIltt VI Illt tOIItCliltoo VI III oNObAbfiih5
thought, and with so just an estimate OF
the mutual deprayity of each other, it is
not to be wondered at that n large pro-
portion of those who attain success are
found 10 be destitute Of every sentiment
of honor, and fit only for strategem and
spoils. The thing, so to speak, is de-
plored by the better class of citizens,
whether rich or poor. Still, the stencil
of the political pool has become more and
more noisome with the growing tenden-
cies of the times, until many of the
noblest sensibilities have come to doubt
whether it is possible to correct the evil,
and avert the ruin of popular institu-
tons.
1t is, however, encouraging to men of
honorable instincts to witness the gath
ering disposition of the popular mind to
unkennel the infamies of those who have
abused the high trusts committed to their
hands. While the investigation of the
conduct of men surrounded with the
most powerful influences lin connection
with the : Credit Mobilier } is being car
ried on in public, and the proceedings
published to the world, that the people
may make their own verdict upon the
accusations, we see a Senator in Con-
gress, a candidate for reelection, strip
ped of his consequence by the Legislature
of Kansas, and after being ANONYMOUSLY
beaten for the position, arrested for
bribery and threatened with the doom of
a felon. Tweed, though unconvieted Of
his crimes, wanders as a monster de-
throned of power and though he may
escape the chastisement due to his Of
lenses, his name and infamy will remain
as monuments of the fate of n public rob-
Der who fell under the Indignation of an
outraged people. Something is gained
to the side of political morality by these
examples, and it can no longer be said
that the occupants of official station go
unwhipt of justice, and are in no danger
of exposure or punishment.
The operation of the law of eompensa-
ton has evoked a sense of danger
throughout the Country; and the future
is full of promise that depredators of
every degree are marked for popular re-
sentiment. The petty knaves who in this
State have been permitted to crawl into
places which they only disgraced or dis
grace by their intrigues, can not escape
the reprobation they have provoked by
their venality. Communities smarting
under the outrages of those who have
betrayed the public interest, will be keen
to visit every public servant with the
prescription which his perfdy deserves.
There are many Augean stables, great
and small, and nests of corruption, which
the hand of correction should be laid
upon with severe rigor ; and we shall be
of those who in this movement are most
vigilant to hold up to public detestation
the foul actors who have earned the char
acter of political jobbers.