The daily gazette., 1875-07-29
Political Corruption.

Walter B. Pierce. Esq, Of Utica, N. |
z, tax payer, addressed large audi |
snee of the business men of that town,
on Tuesday evening. His address is one
of great ability, in which he charges our
present difficulties to political corrup-
tion, which he says can be cured by
"oyTIcIAI ACCOUNTABILITY" We make
the following extract from the World of
yesterday:
That political corruption is the result
Of defect in the structure of the Gov
ernment is beyond doubt. That the
Constitution of the United States would
show itself defective in this respect was
the firm belief of Patrick Henry. We
quote from his speeches in the Virginia
Convention.-S See "Elliott's Debates"
vol iii.
PATRICK HENRY QUOTED.
The warning words of the patriot have
become the words Of history, and de-
mand our attention:
l, Where is the sponsibili!y-that
leading principle in the British Govern
ment In that Government, q punish
1nent certain and inevitable is provided :;
but in this there is no real, actual pun
ishment for the grossest maladministra-
ton. They may go without punishment
though they commit the most outrageous
violation on our immunities Page 81.
2. "Sir, if our Senators will not be
corrupted. it will be because they will be
good men, and not because the Constitu-
titn provides. against corruption for
there is no real check secured in it, and
the most abandoned and prohigate acts
may with lmpunity be committed by
them. Page 145.
3. 'f you depend on your Presidents
and Senators patriotism, you are gone"
Page l64.
4, ''There is no real check to prevent
their running us. There is no actual
responsibility. The only semblance of q
check is the negative power of NOT re.
electing them. This, sir, ia but a feeble
barrier, when their personal interest
their ambition and avarice come to be in
contrast with the happiness of the peo
ple.-Page 1877.
3. Yes, you may impeach him befor,
the Senate. A majority of the Senat,
may be sharers in the bribe VIII the,
pronounce him guilty who is in the sam,
predicament with themselves? Where
then, Is the security f"-Page 355.
e But In the same section there is
defect OF much greater consequence
=
Page 1858.
I. care the members of the senat
responsible? They may try themselyes
and If found guilty on impeachment ar
to be only removed from Office In Ems
Land the greatest characters are brongh
70 the block for their sinister admins
tration.. They have power there. no
in dismissing them from office, but fror
Life, for malpractices. The king him
self cannot pardon in this case. ."-Pae
397.
8. 81 beg gentlemen to consider tb
American impeachment. What is IL
1t Is mere sham-a farce. When the
do anything derogatory to the honor {
interest OF their country, they are to II
themselves Is it so in England ? Tf
history OF that country shows that the
have blocks and gibbets The yiolatol
Of the public interesG have been trie
Justly and impartially. and perished /
those necessary instruments of justic
Can there be any security where often,
ers try one ano, her? I hope gentleme
will consider the necessity of amen,
nent in this clause. 512.
THE REMEpT.
What Is the remedy for political CO
rupnonf 1t Is urged that we must or,
ate q better public sentiment. TT
weil-dlsposed have labored for this. br
@t Che end Of twenty -fvo years the wor