Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-01-13
THE SUBSIDY CORRUPTION.

1 'V'fs'* Wv sFf e'I 'h'>s 6N'Ns I's*t'N'ff
whose nervous system was convenient
ly disturbed. So he has not been
brought to the bar OF the House, and
now by reason of the vacation, will
until the 9th of January to get his
brain composed.
Why Mr.. Irwin should decline to
tell the committee what common re-
port says he long ago told TO his per-
sonal friends, is somewhat strange
1t is openly stated on the avenues of
Washington, that one of the largest
checks was paid over to VIM. $. King,
Postmaster of the House of Repre-
sentatives when the subsidy was pro
cured, and now Republican member
elect to the Forty-fourth Congress-
Other names are also freely mentioned
as having retainers and fees for opin-
ions.
Those statements were either true
or false at the time when they were
made, and they stand in that position
now. The circumstances have not
changed at all, but they are affected
to the extent that some, il not all, the
incriminated parties, are said TO be
ready TO swear down any testimony Of
lrwin's which may involve them in
this corruption.
That fact may have great deal TO
do with lrwln's refusal TO answer, for
he might find himself confronted, as
some of the witnesses of the Ring
burglary trial did, with charges pre-
ferred through the very persons who
had been indicted for that conspiracy.
They have that way Of doing things
at the capitol of the nation, where
Boss Shepherd rules with so much
grace and modcsty through three
Commissioners and all his own retain
crs.
Perjury has no terrors for certain
class of patriots in these times. The
crime has lost much of its former
gravity. The swearing before the
Credit Mobilier committee demonstra-
ted the capacity Of Christian states
men in that line, and that experience
seems to have encouraged others since
then, whenever vindication of dam
aged character has been required
Some recent examples of such prof.
cheney are appalling to contemplate.
1t is not denied by Mr.. lrwin's
, friends that he received share of this
money for his own services; but they
affirm with emphasis that the bulk of
it was distributed to "pass the bill, "
and that assertion is probably true
While certain number of Senators
and Representative honestly voted
for this subsidy, some from policy of
aiding American commerce, and 9th
ers for local or personal reasons, II is
obvious that others were captured and
convinced by the seductive arguments
of crisp greenbacks.
: There are men in both houses who
may vote for almost any measure
without inviting the least distrust, be-
cause they are known to be pure, and
no lobbyist would dare approach them
with bribe or even an iduccment.-
, They are perfectly well established in
character, some of this limited class
are to be found on the affirmative side
Of the subsidy, and others as not vo-
ting, without exciting the least harsh
comment.
, But it is impossible TO read the list
Of yeas in the Senate and House, with
out remarking that nearly the whole
tribe of professional jobbers and fee
takers stand recorded. With single
, exception, the Credit Mobilicr plum
dcrers are all there, and so are the
other trafickers in legislation who did
not sell themselves to Ames, simply be
|, cause he had no use for such cattle
after having purchased the leaders Of
,, ,, the House, with the Speaker at Their
head
, One of the devices of the most no
> ted corruptionists in Congress, who
demand pay, and shares, and contin
gent fees on every job with money in
! Il, is to cry out that their votes ar,
sold by the lobby. That trick has be
come stale, and is now perfectly un
, derstood. But old and worthless as Il
+ is, this cry is again raised, and will
, strong lungs too, in order to fasten tn,
guilt of the subsidy corruption on lr
I, win alone, and thus secure mode o
escape through the back door for tn,
: rogncs who levied the largest toll.
+ The public is not to be cheated by
= this sham, but If Mr. Irwin expects t
be relieved from his present predica
i mcnt, he will speak out as he has don'
G in private, so that the whole country
may hear the story. Public opinion
+ will soon decide who shared in tho
r spoils, and for what consideration
9 While he maintains an obstinate 81
q lence, he must expect to suffer, bccaus,
n suspicion is natural in the presence o
e such conduct, and the hahds of his nc
: cusers are strengthened in every
charge. The knowledge of thes,
4 transactions is too familiar to many tC
!. prevent final exposure, and If it Il
! made without the aid, or in spite o
!, the silence of the principal witness, SC
4 much the worse for him at the end.--
tl N V Sun