Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1873-09-11
OmciaI Integrity

Onc1aI 1n6egr1tyS
Public officials are cotfstrAafiy ex.
posed to temptation. Few men enter
office with the intention of being dis
honest, but the tempter comes ii one
form or another, and too often s6er
ceeds in accomplishing his purpose.
There are thousands of honest officials
throughout the country; men WHO
have been tried, who are above suspi-
cion, who are proof against tempta-
ton. But there are many who have
given way to the strain upon them
who are to-day in the power Of 9TH
ers, who are but instruments to carry
the designs of men whose names are
kept in the background. Few men are
purchased by direct offers of money.
Yet they are bought and sold daily,
some without being aware of the fact.
Some crafty schemer has bill to put
through q State Legislature. The
measure-has a show of Justice about
it, which may commend it to a favor.
able hearing, yet the chances are
against its passage if left to its own
merits. The influence necessary to
force it through must be created by
outside pressure. An accomplished
lobbyist is employed. He has the pow
er to engage assistance if needed.
Money is placed at his disposal. He
is left to his own discretion as 70 how
and when to use the money. He is
expected ''to put it where it viii do
the most good" the manner of plac-
ing it being left in his hands. The
chief lobbyist is generally man Of
keen perception, a practical business
man, a good Judge of character, who
weighs his man before he approaehe6
him. He makes personal acquaint-
ance of the members he desires TO op-
crate upon. If he discovers the man
of easy virtue, who has price, and
makes no concealment of the fact, he
buys him for so many dollars and
cents. These purchases are Valuablei
they afford an inside power to work;
they secure powerful advocates TO en-
gineer the measure through. Fine
suppers are the order of the day.
Country members discuss the merits
of the bill in question over the best
champagne the market affords. They
eat and drink, and are won over so the
support of the bill by the pFincely
generosity of the lobbyist. They vote
him good fellow, and except every
thing as equally good that bears his
endorsement. Thus men are PuF-
chased, without any knowledge on
their part that they have sold them
selves. They would consider It an ins
suit, and would probably kick the lob
byist down stairs if he should dare 10
offer them fifty dollars for their votes,
but this amount in wine steals theiP
brains, mnddles their good sense, dis
torts their idea of honesty, and trans
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
a thousand dollars by way of a bribe,
take it as a loan, to be returned when
they please. They justify it on the
grounds of legitimate business, but al
ways lean to the support of the lend
er and his schemes. Some men bRve
fine business offers; talents unknown
to themselves are discovered by the
lobbyist, and what money cannot do
fiattery can. Others are admitted as
stockholders in some paying enter
prise They are thus placed under OBJ
Legations to the friend or friends who
gave them the chance, and to deny
vote to measure which this friend is
interested in would be gross ingrati
tude
Thus private schemes, railroad jobs
oppressive monopolies. and question
able public measures are hurried thrO'
the legislature, much to the satisfac-
ton of the interested parties and the
disgust of the people. We believe
there is less of this work now than
ever before, but there is enough left to.
create widespread alarm. OF late
years the people have kept a more
watchful eye on their public servsutss-
The dishonest ones have been Marked
and better men have been sent to. ZIP
their places. But the discovery comes
too late the damage has been doney
and the State suffers A more WRt0hfuE
eye on the primary meeting, or the To-
cal convention, would have secured
better men in the first place. If the
people desire honest legislation, they
must send men of undouhted integrity
to represent them. There are thou-
sands of good men who would be
willing to take of1Se, but will not SEEK
it. They are above suspicion; have
been tried as business men, and are
we'll known for their honesty and abil-
ity. Money could not bribe them t0
TO do wrong; champagne suppeFs
could not incline them to support
measure which they did not deem
right and just; fIatteEy could not in
duce them to tarnish 3 reputation
built up by years of hard labor aad
honest endeavors. When such men
are induced to enter the public service
we shall see a speedy orrectionset the
evils which af1ict legislation. HE
t corrupt lobby will be over, and the,
} occupation of the lobbyist gone. The
sooner this reform is instituted the
better. It is not experimental OF cost
: lv; it simply requires better Judgment,
and more care in the selection,Of can
; didates for eflce. Select men oer
; known integrity and good Judgment,
and the reform is brought shout
Like begets like, and honest legisla-
ton can only come from honest men,
- The Mansfield Herald tells the
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