The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-05-11
OFFICIAL BRIBERY.

OFFICIAL BRIBERY.
Charles Alarich, in the Iowa house
of representatives, March 8, made
remarkable speech on the official brib-
cry of railroad corporations, and made
some startling statements which are
worthy of public consideration. He
said:
EVERY judge of the supreme court
of the United States is an official dead
head. Ard not only are the supreme
judges and all other federal judges
deadheads. but the courtesy takes in
their relatives and friends. Then the
cabinet officers are also bright and
shining examples of this American
system, with only here and there an
old fogy who don't believe in it.
Most Of the United States senators and
members of the house of Representa-
tives sail in the same boat. with a
goodly accompaniment of relatives,
friends, dependents a I'd hangers on.
Phsn 90 through the departments. and
you will find hundreds, most likely
thousands, of people who have no
trouble in securing free railroad trans
portation to their homes and return,
no matter how distant they may be.
Especially is this true with regard to
those officials who have something to
do with the railroad land grants. The
entire public service Of the general
government is rife with this abu: e,
which railroad attorney of this city
tsld me not long ago was "a simple
courtssey due to position When a
man gets into q responsible Office,
where be has relations with the people
on one hand and with the corporations
on the other, it is due to his position
that he shall have these favors.
"The oil Of the official deadheadism
greases the wheels of all our state
courts. Our state supreme judge:
draw their passes upon the haplesi
conductors with all the facility o.
hands. Sometimes, when going tt
court in a body hey fire by platoons
Our district and circuit judges, will
one exception, are the happy recipient
of all these 'courtesiss due to position
Neither the attorney general nor thu
district attorneys are left out in tn
Geld. The wise old professional bailifi
especially he who has become wrink
led and scraggy, and smoke-dried il
the atmosphere of courts, occupies n
mean or Insignificant place as an off
cial deadhead. Everybody, seeming
ly, has a pass but the poor client
His share is to pay the costs, and a
he has no position he gets no 'courtei
ies.'
every state officer, and every cler
in every state Office, has, or may have
his name placed on the roll of officia
deadheads. Your board of railroa
commissioners are also dead heads {
the first water. Within the state b
law, and out Off by the courtesy du
to position, they may travel free wit
their families"
The New York Times. in recer
editorial, stated that official dsadheat
ing costs short road running int
that city 500, 900 per annum. III
attorney Of another road AYERS that
requires the constant service of
$1,000 clerk to issue the passes of h
road. An intelligent conductor on
western road declares that from
to 30 per cent. of the passengers {
his train were deadheadr.
The bribery phase of this abomin
BILE SYSTEM Of deadheading is not Il
whole evil. The 20 per cent. the ra
roads lose by passes has to be made |
out Of those who dopay. The railro,
receipts from passenger fares amour
to about s15O,00O, 900 annually, al
20 per cent of this is 80, 900, 900, whi
might be saved to those who pay it
there were no discrimination.
Who wonders that the people col
plain of extortion, and that the leg
lators and courts cater to the inte
ests Of the railrod monopolies, when
is known that the sum Of $50, 900, 0
is annually squandered on pas,
to purchase official influence?