The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-06-18
"Whitewashing" a Legislature.

"Whitewashing'' Legislature.
Inasmuch as the Democratic press, and
our neighbor Of the Courier among the
number, are engaged in the business Of
boIstering up the corrupt and incOmpe-
tent Democratic Legislature of last win
ter, we reproduce the following evidence
from Democratic sources, and ''out of
their own mouths we condemn them"
LET THE PEOPLE REJOICE.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Ohio House Of Representative,
IN tbe closing hours of the session, has
disoraced itself. In the Wood county
investigation it was clearly shown that
in several cases bribery was attempted
or accomplished. The adjournment cuts
of the investigation, but in the face of
all the testimony submitted the House
votes to eXonorate all the members i'm
pIicated by Gordon's Investigation Com
mittee. This action was shameful. 1t
is il nothing less than shielding bribery
and smothering its exposure. The House
Of Representatives of our General As
sembly was chosen to pass out Of public
sight, advertising itself as a body whose
votes were purchased by ''jokes" ranging
from S15 to 800 in value, solemnizing
that disgraceful fact, in effect, by vote
of approval. With evidence before the
House that some OF its members were
corrupt it pats them on the head, pro-
nounces a benediction on them and says:
''Well done, good and faithful servants. "
1t has placed a premium upon bribery
instead Of fixing upon it the seal Of con-
demnation. The Legislature disbands
exhaling odious odors. The individual
members that have brought disgrace up
on their constituents and upon the State
precipitated shame enough upon US, but
when one branch Of Legislature sane
tions their corrupt procedures, that body
ought to be doubly condemned. Let
our people and our party see to it that
men incorruptible and undefiled are
hereafter sent to the General Assembly.
Cincinnati Commercial,
We do not see what this Ohio House
could do that it hasn't done to disgrace
itself
From the Toledo Sunday Journal.
The last scene I'm the Ohio Legislature
partook more of the nature of n drunk
en- carousal. The Hall of Representa-
tives seemed to have been transformed
into a beer garden, where lager and
whisky were dealt out in unknown guam
titles; and ranting, reeling legislators
made night hideous with bacchanalian
reveI. The proud State of Ohio has
never been so much disgFaced as she has
been in this Reform Legislature. Ger
tainly the lowest depth has been reached
when the hummer organ of this city is
forced to speak of ''the discussion in the
House of Representatives, on the Wood
county bribery business" as being sim
ply disgusting and disgraceful." 1t has
proved too nauseous, even for that de-
lectabIe sheet.
From the Philadelphia Press,
We misjudge the wisdom of the Dem
ocratic Ohio Legislature. They will not
part with those 500 reformers. After
an Investigating Committee had clearly
inculpated four or five of them in direct
bribery, the House of Representatives
had the hardihood to pass resolutions
exonerating the whole lot. A more
shame faced deed was never perpetrated
by our Pennsylvania Representatives
during their widest carnivais. West
ward the course of reform takes its way.
From the Lima Democrat,
The Ohio Legislature adjourned sine
die Tuesday noon. Some good things
have been done, but as a whole it has
been a curse and disgrace to the Demo
cratic party. The white washing of the
Dribe-takers in the Wood county affair
was one of the most outrageous acts of
lrazen slIaJnelessness that has ever been
lone by amy Legislative body in the his
,ory of the State. All the people should
'ejoice that It is dead, and let none feel
70 poor as to do It reverence
From the Sidney Democrat.
When the Ohio Legislature gets /
through its noble work of interfering /
Yith county offices, and devising ways
nd means to benefit city rat printing
fices, it is probable they will do some
hing that is of interest to the people.
n that case we will take pleasure in pub
shing the proceedings.
From the Western d mOcrat.
The Defiance Democrat says. ''there
re too many gas bags in the Legislature
,r the good of the country, and they
louId wind up and go home" Wouldn't
be better to let 'em for lamp posts to
or street corners2 1t seems
, us they would light well.
Toledo Democrat.
The discussion In the House Of Repre-
ntatives, on the Wood county bribery
usiness, was simply disgusting and dis
,acefuI. 1t certainly equaled the worst
Of depravity ever given in the
legislature of South Carolina.
From the Eaton Domocrat.
If the Ohio Legislature don't want to
lmn the party in power and themselves
20. let them do what is necessary to be
,ne, and then adjourn and go home
there no patriot among theml
From the Ashland Press.
The oeople of Ohio demand it of the
sgisIature 70 adjourn. They are doing
, good Tor the State, nor obeying the
i'll of their constituents. Why don't
icy go home for good2
Cincinnati Enquirer.
We trust that all the members of the
hio Legislature will reach home in
fety and that few of them will ever
nd their way back to Columbus.
The Spirit of Democracy: "About
7ery third member of the Legislature
Is a liquor bill. 1t is presumed that
Ie rest Psy for their drinks as they get
lem."
Fropa the ZanesviIlp Signal.
'It appears to us the present General
ssembly Is wasting great deal of time
| idleness or, it may be, in something
ore criminal.
The Cleveland PldindeaLer advises the
legislature to 'tget out of Columbus as
ION as possible. "
AE OMITTED PLANK.
The Republican party in Convention