Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-10-15
THE CORRUPT LOBBY
AND THE ATTEMPT OF THE REpUBLcAN
PARTY TO REIEsTATE 1T IN POWER.

AND Ahb AiIbMFI Vt Ihb hhfu bLlNAN
PARTY TO RElNsTATE IT IN POWER.
The Constitution of 1873, adopted
by the people Of Pennsylvania by an
overwhelming majority, was intended
to be a death-blow TO the corrupt lobby
which for many years had made legis.
lation q matter Of barter and sale at
Harrisburg. Half the abuses and
wrongs Of the system have never been
told. 1t demoralized the politics and
Legislation of the State, and plastered
the Commonwealth over, from the
Delaware TO the Ohio, with special
privileges to favored few, which
were auctioned off to the highest bid.
ders TO embarrass and oppross future
generations. A regular trade in special
legislation sprung up, and out Of this
grew the legislative lobby, mainly
composed Of leading and influential
Republicans, fer that party had con-
troll Of the Legislature and the Execu.
tive. The lobby was section Of the
Republican party.
BY the Constitution Of 1873 special
legislation WAS abolished, and the Of.
fenso Of bribery by members of the
Legislature and tho corrupt solicita-
tion of members by the lobby, made
high oiIcnse, punishable by fine and
imprisonment, The people deemed
they had achieved Il great victory and
redeemed the State from the obloqny
which rested on il by these salutary
reforms. To certain extent they had /;
but at the session of the Legislature
in 1876 a powerful lobby invaded the
State capitol and attempted by cor
rupt solicitation TO control a bill affect
ing the Susquehanna Boom Company,
The House of Representatives at that
time was Democratic, and as the NJ.
tempt at corruption concerned its in
tcgrity, the Democratic Speaker Of
the House demanded q Committee of
Investigation. 1t was granted, with
Hon. Joseph Hays, Democrat, Of ALE.
ghcny county, as Chairman. Among
Its members was Hon. Charles S.
Wolfe, Republican, Of Union county.
This committee prosecuted its re-
searches with unhagging energy and q
determination to expose and punish
the guilty. Evidence was accumulat-
ed which showed an organized move
ment to dehauch the Legislature. The
committee reported In favor OF the ex-
pulsion Of two members, PETROL, Re.
publican, and Lynott, Democrat, for
bribery and corruption, and they were
expelled by n two thirds majority of
the members of the House. Lynott
was allowed by his constituents to sink
into obscurity, but the Republicans of
Philadelphia took up tho case of Pc
troif and twice ro.olccted him to the
Legislature.
The action of the Democratic House
in 1876 illustrated the Democratic
method Of disposing of legislative cor.
ruption 1t was promptly exposed
and summarily punished, regardless of
party afiliation. 1t was a disagreeablc
duty, but cleared the atmosphere and
showed the people Of the State that
the anti.bribery prohibitions of their
new constitution were not mere idle
words. 1t was hailed as great victory
for honesty in politics and legislation.
But let us look for a moment at the
record the Republicans have made on
this same vital question. IL is not
necessary to recapitulato tho evidences
of corrupt solicitation at Harrisburg
last winter TO secure the passage Of
the Allegheny county four million riot
damage bill. They are fresh IN the
memories Of the people A powerful
lobby, acting under the direction of
ex.State Treasurer Kemblc, noted
and influential Republican politician
and the Pennsylvania member of the
National Republican Committee, laid
siege to the Legislature, and organized
u corrupt conspiracy to promote the
passage of the bill by the use Of money.
Associated with Kemble were noted
Republicans in and out Of the Legisla-
ture. Tho claim was put in for four
millions of dollars, although the riot
damages proposed to bc made good
did not exceed two millions and halt,
leaving a clear profit to the lobby
brgands Of million and half Of dol.
lars, to be taken from tho public
treasury at a time when the people
were bravely struggling with the ruin
Gus depression Of all business and in
dustries. following the panic of 1873.