Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-03-06
The lOIlTlCS OF 1T.
HOW CERTAIN WIRI -PUILERs DID SOME
EFFECTIVE WORK.--A REVELATION

The fact that political maneuvering
formed the basis for the recent corrupt
action of the Board of Supervisors has
been generally admitted. Just how it
was worked and for what immedia te
ends has not been known however.
I he people have never been permitted
to know exactly how their welfare was
being bartered oil for the political
prestige of few unfaithful members.
i lhese men were elected as servants of
the people. As such they had in their
hands the material prosperity of their
friends and neighbOrs, and were sup
posed to have dealt with their charge
honestly. That they did not, but
rather used the opportunity for their
own political ggrandiZement, Is the
present case which is a lasting disgrace
10 our choice.
1t has doubtless often been the won
der of some, how the cities could con
rol 50 exclusively the majority of the
country votes on the Board. This
question may be justly asked. These
men were elected to take care of our
interests, and why did they not do
their duty?
Since the recent investigation was
begun, the disgraceful system of wire.
,ulng wnlcn existed during the last
session of the Board, is being gradually
revealed. Those members who would
not listen to the glowing promises at
ne time are willingly deVulging the
whole matter. The fact l., ii was al Il
piece Of the foulest filth, and no con-
scientiOus man will hesit lie 10 clear
his own skirts by sharing his knowl-
edge of ii.
It was at one time a wonder why
4. \. Bailey should have been chosen
chairman of the session. Ii mas been
recently revealed. MIR. Bailey was
approached by the city delegations,
nd promised TO work in their favor if
he were elected. 4 hen to m ke his
election sure he personally interviewed
the different members previous to the
session and secured from a sufficient
number promise to support him. In
return for this Bailey made different
inducements to the members, prOmis-
ing to some, as to Mr.. Hodgins,
seat upon the Committee of Equali-
zaton, which the gentleman desired in
order to lower his township, and TO
others political assistance.
hat Bailey had Il large fund of this
at his disposal was generally admitted.
He, in return for the assistance he had
promised the city of lort Huron, was
known TO have a predomi ,ant voice
among the Democratic county slate
makers in Port Huron. They PROM
ised the Registry of Deeds to ElstOn
Hoffman, which he was very desirous
of; and John ferney was to have an
other good county office, but was given
that of deputy Oil Inspector in pref
erence. 1t is well known fact that
1 erney secured this latter Office by
reason of u petition signed by the
citizens of Port Huron. Both of these
men were members of that corrupt
Committee of Equalization, which met
with closed doors in absolute contra
dictiOn to the statutes of the state.
1--WE would refer any one who would
wish to verify this statement to How
elPs Statutes, Article, 475.) An idea
may be had from this fact Of how val
liable the schemers of .'ort Huron
considered the n . ~ If such men
as Hoffman and Terney ol the Com
mlItee.
From the information secured it can
hardly be doubted that Port Huron
schemers took tie initiative in this.
They planned the campaign, and Fort
Gratiot, IT. Clair, and arine City
delegates joined in it placidly, provid-
ing their cities should also in some de-
gree receive the benefits of lowering.
IL Is also true that the representatives
secured the assistance of some unsus-
pecting rural delegates on the plea that
the cities, especially Port Huron, had
been assessed atavery high valu ,tlon by
reason of the per cent charter limit.
4 he probability of this has been seen
previously, when we learned that Port
Huron is paying taxes this year on
$l64 ,260 more than in 1880.
This is a hasty sketch of the polit-
ical dodging which supported the re-
cent tax steals. The cities promised
political advancement to corrupt sup
ervisors who would keep the city as
sessment down at a low figure. It is
hardly to be believed that these promis-
es were confined To one party, as one
might be led to believe from the fore
gong. These are but the one which
were fulfilled. Moreover Port Huron's
interest, from either party, demanded
but one thing. Such tricks are abom-
Unable, under whatever name they go.
Disregarding politics, the whole bust
ness was u disgrace. IL is a systematic
cheating of the country districts. 1t
must be exposed and punished. Here,
in addition is record in their own
handwriting which stamps every cor
rupt supervisor.
According to the records of the
Board, Supervisor Gardner offered a