The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-06-25
Accommodates.


publican party at this time. The
attention of the country had just been
withdrawn from spectacles of corrup-
ton at Washington. A great quar-
rel in the radical party habit was be
lieyed; turned the public thought
away from subjects that, by their fla
grant exhibitions of official corrup-
ion and Infamous pa tisan practices,
had imperatively absorbed the pub
lie notice. 1t was supposed that the
Star Route robberies were forgotten.
1t was hoped by many republicans
that the disreputable bargain with
Malone had been obscured in the
recollections of men. These were
republicans who rejoiced in the be-
lief that something had happened,
anyhow to draw the thoughts of the
American people away from the ter
rible blunder which the republican
Senators made in the matter Of Rid
dleberger. Thousands of republicans
were glad that other topics were upon
the lips of men than Brady and the
Presidents request Of him, and this
long list of unsavory themes. There
was apparent q sense Of republican
relief, at least, in this aspect Of the
case, when the eyes of the country
were turned from Washington to AL
bany. But what is the result? The
country looks away from bribery and
corruption at Washington only to
find corruption and bribery at Alba
ny. 1t is the old old story. The
whole head is sick. Is it possible
that the American people will never
tire of this miserable despicable bus
mess? Will they never ask for a
change? Is it not apparent that the
little that has been unwillingly done
in the unfolding of peculation in one
department of the Government is
only beginning of the work of pu-
rification? Is it not now plain that
those who insisted during the last
campaign, upon the importance Of
getting an opportunity to examine
those books were patriotic in their
demand-one in the interest of pub
lie service and public virtue? Is it
not now evident that the Presiden-
tial election was carried chiefly by
money stolen from the people and by
the men who stole it? Do not the
people OF the country now see with
what ease corrupt political leaders,
by their very corrupt practices them
selves can maintain themselves in
power? Is it probable that the ben
efciaries of the methods employed
to secure the result of the November
election were ignorant of them? Can
tire minded masses of the Amer
lean people look with eomplacency
upon the fact that whether they look
toward Washington or toward Albany
or whenever the republican managers
are gathered together they see the
same disgraceful state of things?
Should not sucha reign be brought to
an end.
ltis mistake to suppose that the
direct payment of money, cash in
hand, is the only or the most effective
mode of bribery. The most seductive,
the most powerful bride is place, po-
sition, office. The money in hand
may soon be spent; the income from
the office is operative every day dur
ing the the official term. The money
received as a salary is the interest
on a much larger sum, the larger sum,
the principal, really representing the
amount Of the bride. money. Two
thousand dollars in hand for example,
is not a large snm. 1t would pro-
duce but small income. But posi-
ton with salary of $4,000 is a val
liable and seductive bride. The re-
cipient of this latter bride is likely to
be close mouthed and loyal while
that salary runs on.
1t appears that the Half Breeds, as
the friends of the administration are
called, are employing both of these
methods at Albany. 1t matters lit
tie to the country for what individual
purpose this is done; the spectacle is
one which the country cannot con
template with pride or satisfaction.
Robertson, representing the President,
represents all the patronage. "The
machine" is still used as unscrupu-
lousy as ever before; it is only in
different hands. What difference
does it make to the non-political
classes whether Conkling, or Garfield,
or Blaine, or Robertson manipulates
'the machine" if they are compelled
to look into the face of the fact that
"the machine" is manipulated in the
old disreputable way? Somebody
said once that we do not change rail
roads when we change conductors.
This Administration is employing
the spoils system with all the unscru-
pulousness and ingenuity and indus
try that conkling has ever shown; or
if not, it is because he lacks the abil-
ity and information, and not because
OF lack of inclination and intention.
Whatever the result of this Providen-
tial republican quarrel, we ask the
country to look at these melancholy
facts.
A st. Louis man is going to fast
forty days, but the test will not be a
fair one, as he has worked ON one Of
the newspapers of that city for sever
al years.-Ec.