St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-08
THE SIN OF BRIBERY.

The report of the investigating COM
mittee of the last legislature on the sell
atOrial bribery matter is very depress-
ing reading. Part of ii seems still to be
unpublished, but the public has enough
10 make it blush for the states fair
name. 70 be sure, there is a general
denial all along the line, and when
IN Oncy is brought home to any one it is
shown TO have been a free-WIl Offering
from some rich attorney who had gladly
sacrificed his large fortune out of public
spirit TO assist in the election of the
man of his choice. The GLOBE does
not care TO follow up this subject anv
further. But it is bad business, very
bad business. The men whom this
state ought to have III congress are the
men who accept their positions in re-
spouse to spontaneous popular demand,
and because they are able and public
spirited. 1t is terrible crime to have
money determine the choice of our rep
reSentatiVes.
There is some talk current at present
TO the effect that there are men in the
present Legislature who are open to cor
ruptlOn. Some bills are named in gen
cral gossip as having been introduced
with 10 other purpose than TO create a
source of revenue to their ostensible
promoters: and other bills inimical TO
the interests of certain classes. while
originally framed in complete sincerity.
ii is said are now being used as an
agency for blacllmail. The GLOBE.
which has carefully watched the trend
OF legislation at this and previous SEES
Slons, believes that this is the most hon
est body of representatives ever assem-
bled at our capitol. The end is not
yet, however; and in the confusion
and excitement of the last few
weeks temptations and opportunities
will increase. No good will be
accomplished by calling the attention of
dishonest men TO the shame Of their
prostitution. \ legislator. understand
ing his responsibilities and high calling
under our institutions. who will sell the
vote which he has sworn to cast accord
ing to the dictates of his enlightened
Judgment, is too low TO be amenable TO
entreaty or precept. But such men.
like all other criminals. are deferred to
some extent by the fear 'Ot detection
and the GLOBE, which knows the names
of those who are marked as purchas-
able III the catalogues Of the lobbyists,
watches their every movement. Let
them observe the profOundest stealth in
their foul business if they enter into il.
and even then let them remember that
nothing in these days is concealed from
the eyes of vigiiant public press.
aIhe corporations which permit them
selves to be blackmailed are partly TO
blame for legislative corruption. If it.
were distinctly understood that there
was no traffic in votes, dishonest men
Would not seek to be returned to the
house the senate, because it would not
be profitable for them, and Doodle bills
would not be introduced because thew
would carry no hope Of spoils, 1t would
take some tune for The absence of a cor
rupiion fund 10 be appreciated, and in
the meanwhile some interests might
Julier somewhat from hostile legisla-
ton. But in the long run it would be
profitable for them 10 endure this rather
than yield year after year to the levies
OF the dishonest. The sin of bribery
whets its appetite 10y what it feeds on.
The bribe-taker is incapable of consist
ency and cannot be relied OH to be hon
orable, even in his dishonesty. The
more he gets, the more lie wants, and
time and time again he will thke his
price and then prove false to his pur-
chasers. No corporation can afford to
submit TO this sort of thing This is, of