Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-04-09
THE CHARGE OF BRIBERY.

We would like to ask our neig hbors at Perrys-
hurg whether they do not think they carried
their efforts to got the enabling act little too
far, when they ventured 10 perpetrate srims
for that purpose aud, Rlsn, IL It is mot bet
Ter to quit the whole game now lest some Of
them, IL the act should pass, may have an ele-
phant IN th cir hands
We should be sorry to have littla home
made scandal to ventilate iu Wood county next
summer.- Ssntinsl, FEB. 1.
We can name others who have offered mem
bsrs as high as $500 if they would vote for the
Enabling act. Their names will no doubt be
brought TO light in Hn official way, and may
lead citizen or two Of Perrysburg TO safe ao'
sammodatiou at Columbus, free Of expense
Ssatiasi. March rs.
We did NOT notice this charge OF crime at the
times it was made. prsferring like Senator
PUoH, ITO wait for the facts" in an official
form before doing SO, although We we're well
advinsd as 70 what the facts were. The
committee appointed to investigate the
charge Of bribery made as above, after te-
dious and exhaustive examination, made
its report and the action OF the House there
on furnishes another exemplifcstion how
foOlishly and wickedly newspaper conduc-
sors, with little Judgment and less con-
science, will indulge in heinous crimes
agninst those whom they dislike, although
immeasurably their superiors in every re-
spoet some editors, like some lawyers, en-
tertain the notion that their calling will
suffer them to abuse, insult and outrage
others with impunity. We could wish that
the law, with its full vigor, would lay its
hand upon than and thereby awaken them
to n just sense Of their position and the re.
spect which they owe to their fellow-citi-
sens.
During the investigation the lobbyists
from Bowling Green were put upon the
witness stand and every one of them testi-
nod that they knew nothing of any money
ever having been paid or offered by any per-
son from PeUrysbS1g to influence or obtain
q vote for the Enabling act. And if the
sharp-wittsd and lynx-e eyed gentlemen from
B G., who were there upon tho ground
during the whole contest, discovered moth
ing OF the hind, how ia il that the astute
head Of the SeHtind is enabled to say: ave
can name others who have offered nom bers
as high as $500, il they would vote for the
Enabling act" viii the Sentinel please
name them7
Throughout the whole examination not a
syllable Of testimony was adduced implica-
ting or compromising any gentleman from
Psrrysburg in bribing or attempting to
bribe any member of the legislature to vote
for tie bin They came from the ordeal
without even the smell Of fire upon their gar
ments. 1t would be strange indeed il, in a
contest SO heated and long continued as that
vas, with so many Immediately engaged in
it, much Of badinsge should not have oe-
surred, as, "whAt are you paying for votes
to-day7" "What inducement can you Of
ierp and the responses, "from hve cents
to hundred dollars; we will make it for
your interest" &C., &c. And this, as the re-
sult Of the investigation proves, is all there
was Of II.
No, not quite all. There were two items
iuncontradietsd testimony. One. that the
gentlemen from B. G. agreed that they
would see that a debt, due from one Of
their citizens to Mr.. SoBoNFELT, Of Co
Iumbns, should be paid, II the latter would
get friend Of the bill to vote against ii,
and that, in pursuance Of said agreement,
Mr. ScHoRFELr offered friend Of the bill
$50 to vote againstit. This was the strong
sst proof Of attempted bribery which was
elected.
The other item was, that Mr.. GoRDoN
Eaid he would not vote for the bill for less
shan $500, which he Afterward raised to
81 900, and coupled with the further state
msnt, as we are credibly informed, that the
bill could not bs passed without his assist
anee The fair implication from this Lam
guage is, that he would aid the passage of
ths bill II the Perrysburg folks would pay
him the SUN named. Yet he forsooth, as
slmsd 70 bo the pure man, par sreelenos.
Mas il not another instance Of "thief cry
ing, stop theft"
In view Of all these facts, the cause must
be weak which requires such aid as the
ths paragraphs at the head Of this article
~ Snstain 1t.