New-York tribune., 1886-04-04
An ERA or EXPOsURES.

Not long ago, thoughtful citizens were serl-
ously alarmed at the prevalence of corruption
in legislative bodies, and the apparent lndilier-
cnce of the public. Corruption seemed to be
undermining our system of government. Jobs
at Washington, jobs at Albany and Trenton,
Jobs in city councils all over the land, made
government of the people, by the people and
for the people seem IL farce, and yet the most
notorious jobbers stood high in the councils Of
political parties, and public opinion seemed
cllOus to their crimes. There was an epidemic
of successful and audacious rascality.
Now there is an epidemic OF exposure and
disgrace. New-York Aldermen of both parties
are lodging in jail, conterrlng with the District
Attorney, or hiding from justice. Indictments
and Investigations are the order of the day at
Cincinnati, at Columbus and at Chicago. Fan
Electric statesmen are struggling vainly to
hide their disgrace. The few cases named
illustrate a state OF things that is widely pre-
yailing Public sentiment is alert and angry.
Rascals in places of trust are beginning to get
their dues. Men who were silent before come
forward to expose or denOunce corruption, as
Mr. Gator did in his speech about ew-Jersey
lawmakers, because they see that the pubic Is
no longer Indifferent. Democrats OF ONO are
exposing the bribery by which a Senator was
elected. and Democrats at Washington are ask
ing 1ues tions which Senator Harris and other
Pan Electric witnesses do not like TO answer.
More corruption is visible, bat there is not
more corruption than there was one year or two
years ago. The Broadway steal is not the only
piece of knavery in which the Aldermen OF
1854 had part, and the Aldermen of to-day are
not all saints, but it is toleraby sale to say that
there is not as much corruption now as there
was before the of exposure began n good
many persons who bought others or sold them
selves, in and about the Ohio Legislature
have retired from places OF trust, and
some who robbed the city OF Cincinnati
by fraudulent bills are in Canada and
some who robbed the people OF Chicago by
forged returns are in the jail or the State
prison. Garland is not more but less guilty
than he was when as a Senator OF the United
States he first took us a gift the stock OF tele-
phone company which needed his influence, and
he and all his distinguished associates, If as
willing to get rich As they ever were, are likely
TO be a great deal more careful about Their
methods for some time TO come.
Public anger has not reached its height. he
era of exposure ought not to come to an end
until great mary rascals have been punished
and public offices and public bodies have been
thoroughly purged The truth is that the peo-
pie are only just beginning to understand how
rotten things have been. Mr.. Hubert o.
Thompson is still trusted leader. Senator
German, of Maryland, still defes the Baltimore
Democrats WHO have denounced him. 1t hap
pens that most of the recent disclosures affect
Democrats who we're exceedingly anxious for
"Reformn two years ago. The kind of reform
they are getting is not precisely what they
wanted but honest citizens want the exposures
to 90 on, no matter how many knaves of either
party they reach