The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-10-02
OFFE<IAE4 INTEGRITY.

Prbiic officia are continually exposed
to temptation. Few men enter office
with rlse intention of being dishonest,
but The tempter comes in one form or
another. d I'D too often succeeds in accom-
plishing his purpose. There are thousands
of honest oifisIals throughout the coun-
try (, men who have been tried, who are
above Suspicion, who 4re proof against
temptation. But there arc many who
have given way to the strain put upon
them who are to-day in the power oi
cth1rs, who are but instruments IL carry
out the designs of men whose names are
kept IN the background. Few men are
purchased by direct offers OF mo5.ey. Yef
they ale bought and soid daily, so.ue
without being aware of the fact. Some
crafty schemer has bill to put through
a State Legislature. The measure has
show of justice about it which may
commend it to favorable hearing, yet
the chances are against its passage if left
to its own merits. The influence neees
sary to force 1t through must be created
by outside pressure. An accomplished
lobbyist is employed. He has the power
to engage assistance If needed. Money
is placed at his disposal. He is left to
his own discretion as to how and when to
use the mouey. He is expected to ''put
it where it will do the most good" the
manner of placing it being left in his
hands. This chief lobbyist is generally
a man oe keen perception, a practical
business man, a good Judge of character,
who weighs his man before he approaches
him. He makes personal acquaintance
OF the members he desires to operate
upon. If he discovers the man of easy
virtue, who has price, and makes no
concealnent of the fact, ne buys him for
SO many dollars and cents. These pur-
cbases are valuable-tbey afford an in
side power to work with they secure
powerful advocates to engineer the meas
gre gre tn S Fine are the Or
cuss the merits of the bill in question
over the best champagne the market af-
fords. They eat and drink, and are won
over to the support of the bill by the
princely generosity of the lobbyist. They
vote him a good fellow, and accept every
thing as equally good that bears his en-
dorsement Thus men are purchased,
without any knowledge on their part that
they have sold themselves They would
consider it an insult, and would probably
kick the lobbyist down stairs if he should
dare to offer them fifty dollars for their
votes. but this amount in wine steals
their brains, muddles their good sense,
distorts their ideas of honesty, and tran /.
fers them, or, what is better, their SER
vices, to the crafty wire puller having
them in charge.
Some men that would scorn to take
thousand dollars by way Of bribe, take
1t as lean, To be returned when they
please. They justify it on the grounds of
legitimate business. bat always lean to
the support Of tue lender and his
schemes. Some men have fine business
offers; talents unknown to themselves
are discovered By the lobbyist. and what
money caunot do, flattery can OthosS
are admitted as stock holders In some
paying enterprise They are thus placed
under Obligations to the friend or friends
who gave them the chance, and to deny
q vote TO measure which this friend is
interested il, would be gross ngrati-
tude.
Thus private schemes, railroad Jobs,
oppressive monopolies. and questionable
public measures are hurried thro4gh the
Legislature, much to the satisfaction of
The ini crested parties and the disgust of
| the people. We believe there is less Of
| this work now than eyer before, bat there
| is enough left to create Widespread
alarm. OF late years the people have
iept a more watchfuI eye on iheir public
| servants. The dish eaest onas have been
| marked, and better men have been sent
| to fill their places But the discovery
comes too late the damage has been
| done, and the State suffers 4 more
.ful eye on the primary meeting, or
| the loeal convention, would have secured
| better men in the fist place II the pco-
pie desire honest legislation, they must
| send men OF undouttel integrity TO re
present them. There are thousands Of
good men who woui be willing to take
Office. but will not seek it. They are
above suspicion; have been triod as
| business men, and are we'll known for
their honesty and ability. Money could
not bribe them to do wrong; cham
pagne suppers could not incline them to
support measure which they did not
deem right and just fattery could not
induce them to taynish reputation built
| up By years of hard labor and honest en-
deavOrs. When such men are induced
to enter the public service, we shall see
q speedy correction Of the evils which af-
fllct legislation. The work OF The corrupt
lobby will be oyer, and the uccupution of
the lobbyist gone. The SOONER this re
form Is instituted the better Ii Is not
experimental nor costly it simply re-
quitcs better judgment, AMI more care in
the selection OF can,ii iates fer Office. Se-
lect men of known integrity and good
Judgment, and the reform is brought
about. Like begets like. and honest
legislation can only come from honest