The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-08-01

deeds for a portion of the land. The next |
legislature repealed the law-tore it out OF !
the statute book-burnt it ignominiously IN
the DubIic Sauare-orGered the courts TO ex-
y,,npe from the records Of every county all
-napers that recited it. ''To the intent,
saws the repeating law, "that no remem-
brauce of this infamous transaction may re-
IN ain on the earth, except this, its solemn
conde,nnation' But that was no crime If
your definition of bribery be good one.
Neither was the La Crosse railroad con1-
panv guilty of bribing the Wisconsin legis-
iatrire The bonds of the company We're
I,i1 unon the desks of members, thrust into
the hands of the governor and put upon the
tables OF the judges, but no promise, agree
Tnent or contract, no understanding, express
or implied, was had thtt any FoIe shouiu De
Given or withheld.
If il be true that money in large amounts
was opeuly distributed at Harrisburg to the
members at the taverns, on the streets and
i'm tbe halls of the two houses, at the time
1,,baI, the tonnage tax was repealed, it did
NOT come within your definition of bribery
caldwell Mcdonald, Patterson, Gall desci-
,,Ies of the Harrisburg school, never gave
n J,rihA or took one before after their cleo
ton to the United States senate. Ames and
AIlev and the whole credit mobilier set are
I Guiltless because they made no bargains for
The votes they bought with the stock which
I IStI,cv nIared where it would do most good. -
Whv MI President, if the new coustitu-
/ tion masses in its present shape any body that
pleases may set out table, piled With green
( hacks in the rotuuda of the State capitol,
aud with TierfeUt impunity hand them out
/ To the members of both houses as they pass
/ through provided he does not do or say
] ANYTHING which can be construed bar
I cain for votes. l have ri ght to say that
/ the section | allude to was designed by its
framer 10 have this scandalous effect. 1t
/ looks like Il mere Ignorant buugle. If 1t
! stands it Will disgrace the Intelligence if not
the integrity of this convention forever.
/ Let me be understood. L assert that the
bod int nf xrfX
other valuable thing hy any officer, judicial,
/ executive or legislative, from person who
has an interest in his official action is ipSO
t0cto bribery, though it be not given for a
/ vote or a Judgment, but wholly without any
/ understanding of that kind or of any kind.
| Nay, if the officer declares that he will act
against the interests of the donor, and even
if he does actually vote or decide against
Kim, it is still bribery, upon the principle
settled three thousand years ago, that "a
gift blirdcth the eye and pCryeTteth the
! Judgment Of the righteous"
/ | have referred to this part of the article
on legislation to show that unless you swear
your legislators against taking gifts you have
no protection at all against bribery. You
must have something to counteract the cor
ruption which that article invites, unles:
You desire TO throw the reins loose on the
( neck Of these sc6undrels and let them carry
YOU wEitheTsOever they please.
If it be your will and the will of the peo
pie you represent to have no check upon the
Harrisburg, you have given yourselve:
much unnecessary trouble about election
laws and the appOruoniucnt OF the districts
What matters it how the Legislature is cho
Sen if the lobby is to govern US anyhow
They may rs well be the spawn OF a fraud
/ ulent baliot-boX as not.
( But l am not speaking with the reulCtes
prospect that this measure can be carried
We are out on a forlorn hope. From the
time it was first proposed until now, the
foremost men of this body have given i
every possible mark OF their dislike. ]
wOuld be received, l am sure with almos
rapturous approval by the honest people o
the State, but it is not intended here thai
the people shall have a chance TO express
! their opinion on it. The utmost | expect is
a square vote against me. But the RECORD
will attest that l have done my duty faith
: filly, though feebly. The proposition vii
! be voted down, corruption will be throneC
and sceptrcd and crowned the lease OF
power Will be Indefinitely extended to the
men who now rule us for their pleasure and
plunder rs for their profit. Let all The
rings rejoice.
The section was carried.