The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-02-08
CORRUPTION IN HIGH PLACES.

The recent astounding developments be
fore the Credit Mobiher Investigation
Committee the implication beyond per
adventuru-of many Of our national Legs
lators, in frauds which would consign ordi-
nary mortals, not only 10 political OBJ
lvion but to a felnn's cell, demands the
serious consideration If every citizen who
believes in Or hopes for ths perpetuation
Of democratic republican institutions.
BY and through that investigation We find
al honored name, one who has heretofore
enjoyed, so far as personal honesty is con
cerned, the implicit confidence Of the
American people, irrespective Of party, and
whose owner, by virtue If his office, would
to-day assume the presidential chair in
the event of Gen Grant demise appear
in the role of perJ"r'r and corr7ptionist,
for the paltry sum If twelve hundred dol
lars We hnd the Vice President elect, the
heretofore supposed embodiment Of New
England virtue, in position scarcely less
enviable. We find the chairman Of the
most important committees i'll our National
Legislature, embsrking in an enterprise
whose object was fraud, and TO whose tx
PLANTATION, nauseating at best, the popular
verdict turns deaf ear
In the Senate among the peers Of the
realm, the representatives Of vested rights,
a scarcely less deplorable and humiliating
spectacle is presented. Iowa and New
Hampshire. through their representatives,
stand disgraced Here we find Senators
elect and Senators in Office purchasing by
bribery and corruption, their seats, 10 the
highest position within the eft Of any
State In enc instance -, 900 was forfeit
ed, while in South Carolina atwentieth part
OF that SUN was sufficient to purchase the
manhood Of the ebony dignitaries In
Louisiana, federal officials unblushingly
admit that III some parishes ,2OO false
athdavits were presented TO sustain the
party and to finish the disgusting recital,
Nevada, Alabama and Arkansas, are alike
ambitious to dispute the palm of infamy
And this, all this, occurs IN free, intelli-
gent republic.
This language may sound harsh and I'M
have watched froul day to day the develop
ments as recently presented, sustained by
the most incOntestible evidence, will admit
that the charges are not overdrawn, and
that the question whittier are we drift
ing, becomes the question Of the hour II
this corruption is not only winked at, but
committed by our law and order represen-
tatives, by those who occupy the highest
official positions, and who are supposed to
embody the intelligence, the integrity,
and the craftsmanship Of the country,
what right have We to complain Of the pee
cadl!ios Of this or that county treasurer,
or the defalcation of those who draw their
inspiration from their snperiors
The plea of ignorance, too frequently
used, and too frequently allowed to shield
the criminal, cannot be urged in behalf of
those engaged in the Credit MobiIier
swindle. Every Senator and Congressman
connected with it, knew its object and lie
gitiDdte purpose. They embarked in it
with clear understanding as to its objects.
and the tremor manifested since the ex-
plOsion, and their anxiety to explain %
the nature of their transactions, proves too
clearly their guilt And, i'll order that its
nature may be thoroughly understood, We
herewith present brief summary Of an
affidavit of one Of its leading conspirators,
Thos. Z. Durant, when explaining its OBJ
Iects, and the means used to accomplish
them. He said
When the Union Pacific Railroad was
under construction. ring was formed in
side the directors, embracing, as such comb
nation always does, the shrewdest. most
active and less scrupulous Of the board. for
the purpose of making large fortunes for its
members IN an Legitimate manner, at the
cost of the road and Of the unsuspectinC stock
holders. AS usual the object was to be
achieved by means Of constituting contracts
Through the votes Of the ring the work
was to be awarded in q lump to some dummy