The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-03-21
The kfsSows or To. dog.

Tho investigations Of last summer and those
now in progress ia New York city and WaAh-
ing.on have demonstrated with perfect clear
ness at least ono fact: that public officers and
members OF the national and State legislatures
arc beset with peculiarly strong temptations
The gigantic corporations which have grown up
during tho last twenty years are ever ready to
purchase new privileges or to secure immunity
from investigation and moleststion by liberal
expenditures. Thus public mon ere not merely
tempted with free passes, credit moDllier ana
other stocks. and pccuniary gifts. but also by
political promotion to high places. II they indl-
cate Willingness to become the advocates and
promoters OF the interests OF railway and other
great corporations.
II has also been shown that neither religious
nor political professions arc shield against
these temptations, and that tho men OF tie
church and Sunday schools, as well as the &c
knowledged sinners and the leading lights OF
Democracy and Republicanism arc alike frail
and fahbie.
That this state OF ailaiTs il sorous, requiring
the most careful consideration, 10 very obvious;
but tho danger is that public Indignation VIII
simply vent itself upon those who may nave
yielded, leaving tho causes OF this decline OIL
integrity in public and private hfo IL iun opera
tlon. 4 question so vital and profound, gong
to tho very roots OF modern civilization, can
only be dIscusSeD i'll series OF articles, aAu "e
therefore prefer to call attention to only one
OF Its phases.
The tlrao WAS when the pubic watched Wlth
jealous care tho records OF our public NEIL
VINO OF the older politicians does Tot recollect
that Henry Clay was 80 violently assaIled TOT
having voted forGa Increase OF salaries o. mem
bers oil Congress, that nc mad 10 appsai to hij
constituents Ito pea their tlipts aud try again =
Then thoro WAS Tom CorwIu's speech on the
injustice OF tho Mexican war, Ia which be OK
claimed that il he were Mexican 0nd ms ooun-
try were 30 iniquitously dealt WITH. he would
welcome tho invaders with bloody hands TO
hospitabIe graves" which stuck to him for
hie-time. We might cite hundreds OF instances
whero pubic men were called to strict account
for vote in Congress or words SPOKEN IN oe-
bate. and we have alluded 10 the above onlya
illustrations. Very few members could venture
on the stump without the Journals OF the Con p
gressIonal proceedings under their am.
The excitement OF the war aud the lapd In
crease Of private business has made the puohc
unnlndful OF ConRressionalrecords. The local
press generally, and even some OF the inetropol
itan journals have omitted to publish the names
or tho ayo and no call and, practically, the mass
OF people have no ether knowledge OF Con-
grossional proceedings than that which Is fur
nished by the imperfect and frequently inter
csted reports which that huge monopOly-the
Associated Press compsny--furnishes. Thus
the press and the people have been unable to
scrutinlze the votes OF their Legislative repre-
sentatves, and these, feoIinG that tbey were
practically irresponsible. have been iDduced 10
support measures and schemes which Gould not
have recaiyed their favor if the eve OF the pub
lio tad been upon them
The operation b. tho Government OF the
I telegraph lines, cut to consequent reduction
OF toils, which, " aid Cusble ,bo press to use
this means o. communication more extensive
ly AID .rdop snlunuy, becomes therefore ma
{ onal neG30s,ty. Greater vislaoco over the
C Jndurt OF our public men, and more careful
examination for I. ar Legislative record are ao-
eouteIy essential 20 secure geater puoiio IN
tJgrty. Livery aEoncy, Therefore whether 1t
bs by telegraph O. by printed enc written cor
which enables our citizens TO be
. inc acquainted With Legislative pee edlnGs,
Will 10 one OF the means OF seclrin,5 greater
purity ia public lie