Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-02-27
Bargairand Corruption.

The corrupt bargain between Presi-
dent Arthur and Senator Malone ia
one of the most brazen acts of bribery
and corruption that the annals of his
tory afford. Mr.. Arthur, when he en-
tered upon the duties of his office as
President of the United States, took an
oath faithfully to perform the duties
thereof, according to the Constitution
and laws of the United States. Under
this Constitution and these laws, 1t is
made HIS duty to appoint certain Fed
eral officers in the State of Virginia. 1t
is also made HIS duty, for good cause,
to remove any of those officers. Instead
of performing these duties, he has made
bargain with Senator Malone, by
which, in consideration of his political
support, he has, in violation of the Con
stitution and laws, which he has sworn
to support, tran sferred to Malone this
power of appointment and removal, of
all such officers in Virginia. He has
done this, when he knew that Malone
would make the appointments and re
movaIs, without any special referenceto
the fitness OrNunfitness of parties ap
pointed or removed, but chiefly, with
view to influence, by the hope of gain or
intimidation, the persons who wanted
Arthur in their political schemes of self
advancement and aggrandizement He
did it with a further knowledge, that
Malone would 80 use this power over
| these pereons, as to extort from them
large sums of money to be used as cor
ruption fund in elections. Indeed, he
transferred this power to Malone: for
the purpose of enabling hin, to do things.
This conduct of Mr. Arthur involves:
1st, Violation of his oath of office
| I'd, Corruption in the administration
of the duties of his Office.
| Sd, A corrupt bargain with a Senator
of the United States.
4th. Oppression and corruption OF the
subordinate Officers of Government
5th, And the raising of corrupt fund
to debauch the election franchise, by the
prostitution of his off cial powers.
| Republican Senators in the United
States Senate. have CO. operated with and
countenanced Mr.. Arthur in carrying
out this conspiracy against purity in the
administration of the Government
Even that staunch and leading Repub-
lican. Journal, the New York Times,
has been constrained to sound mole of
alarm in these warning words, viz i:
1.-The Republicans in the Senate may
|
thereby obtain the control Of the Senate
and its committees and petty patronage,
but when they come to settle with the
American people. they may find case
of nsSinaGjor which will seriously inter
fere With their ultimate profits from the
| transaction II
The fact.s the Republican party has
been In power for twenty-three years,
including that most corrupting of all
periods, . time of war its leaders and
officers have become 90 Thoroughly cor
rupt, that the government administered
by them has become a great political
machine to be used for benefit of
these leaders and their henchmen, and
to crush all who oppose them. tits cor.
cupt in its administration from top to
bottom-intus ct IL, cute. Efforts to pu.
rity the Pepunl:esa palty. aud al toe
sane TINS to keep it in power, are vain.
A man had as well attempt to lift him
self fifty feet into the air by the seat of
his breecbes. AS well expect a liub
which is purifying from modification.
| unsided from without, to heal itself IF
hepubiieana would relIevs tneir party
! from corruption, they must cut of its
.augrened hands, that hold the reins of
Government.-Ch0 Charlottesville Jefferson
idn