Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-05-17

The Commercial is slightly in error in Its refer
ence to the Dover Lobbyists. We have not the
original vouchers before us, but We think those
sent by Mr. Massey TO the Council arc drawn up
in 50 plain manner that there can bc no mis-
take and that the correct inference from reading
them is that Mr. Pickles agreed with each of the
gentlemen separately sto the price lie was 10
receive for the service rendered in defeating, be-
fore the Legislature, the efforts which the Demo
cratic members of Council, of this city, were
making whereby they hoped TO institute measures
of economy in the city government. The copies
of these vouchers are accessible aud the CONNER
cial may examine them at its leisure In the
mean time il has sought 10 give the impression
that Mr.. Massey was employed by Mr.. Pickles 10
fix up the Job" and send in his bill. This docs
not appear from reading the vouchers TO have
been the case Al all. On the CONTRARY il appears
that Nj Pickles remained in Dover long enough
to employ, or TO use his own language, In his
speech make "plyant, willing tools OF Messrs.
Massey, Pennington, Martin, Elegood and
Watson.
Now, il Mr.. Pickels agreed with each of those
gentlemen for the specified sums named, why
did he ptc-.u; :. Unl for $50 due Geo. V Massey,
ESQ: Why did he not direct those gentlemen
TO present their bills 10 himself or the City Coun-
Gil? Is this the proper mode for transactiDg pub.
lie business? Really subsequent events seem to
prove that MI Pickles did not hnd "plyant
tool in Mr. Massey, although probably it is true,
as Mr.. Fincgan said, he was the most honorable
man of the lot.
1t was really cruel in Mr.. Pickles to desire TO
place Mr.. Massey ia this position and then 10
refer TO gentlemen engaged in the business
OF lobbying being bought and paid as
"plyant, willing toolsn Nor was it less cruel in
Mr.. Febiger 10 charge Mr.. Massey with being
guilty of "dirty trick" +" for forfeitiug hsword to
maintain secrecy. Why was Mr.. Massey required
TO keep these actions secretg We're Messrs, Pen
ugton and Martin, and Watson and EllegOod,
ashamed Of their actions! or, was the shame on
the side of Mr. Pickles for attempting to buy
legislation! No one would accuse these gentle
men, certainly, of possessing influence over the
Legislature. The weight Of character, sterling
worth, great intellect, unbsndng integrity and
long sustained sobriety, are usually supposed
necessary to carry measures through legislative
bodies. These qualities may all abide in the
gentlemen sought out by Mr.. Pickles but arc
rare aud must have taken root early or lately.
Mr.. Pickles, however, seems to have found IL out,
aud strange to say also discovered that the ser
vices of his own party friend were of less value
than the services of others, notwithstanding lie
seems TO have been expected to bear all of the
odium, or whatever of dishOnor, there was in
keeping the matter secret. But We need not
dwell longer on the question to-day, for the pre-
sumption is plain and the inference Is certain, that
the money was wasted-lhat the genllcmcn in
whose pockets 1t has found short resting place,
never earned what they got, If it was necessary
to secure the legislation enacted 10 do so.
The Legislature is not in the hands Of a quin- |
t4tte. If it is the newspapers of this city should
each send in a bill for advertising the business of
the lobbyists and as Mr.. Massey seems TO work
the cheapest he should be charged correspond |
ingly low for the notoriely acquired at the ex-
pense Of the reporters and editors OF his party |
organs