Middletown transcript., 1895-09-28
BRIBERY IN HIGH PLACES.

BRIBERY IN HIGH PLACES.
Some years ago the writer was di
cussing the local political situation
this State with a prominent citizen an
We were told that certain candida
would not win votes because he hs
refused to contribute literally to tw
or three church buildings then beir
erected in the county and toward 9th,
local enterprises be had turned a col
shoulder, enterprises that would M
have thought of him as contribute
= had he not been on the ticket. W
were both young and innocent ther
and were shocked at the evidence q
bribery in high places. We are olde
now and have seen more of practices
politics, in parties. in government, j
church, in society, but We have neve
gotten over the feeling of shame TO
the church that came to us on tha
occasion. We have the same feeliny
for men in high position in the Stat
who sell their influence for persona
advantage, and they are legion, ant
this alone arouses our sympathy for thu
poor and illiterate voter who holds him.
self in the market on election day. He
disposes of his vote and is condemned
while the prominent citizen barters,
that is the proper word, his influence,
his position, his vote, for it goes with
the others, for an Office and its salary,
and he is honored in and for the doing
it. This is true, and any man who has
had any experience in politicscan at this
moment name prominent instances of
it, which if told in these columns
would raise cry of shame. Not shame
that it is true but shame that it should
be told. And the telling would do no
good. Nothing succeeds like success.
The man who does it and succeeds is a
good fellow, and the TRANSCRIPT
would receive only censure to cite in
stances to prove our position. We do
not fear the censure if any good were
to be gained by the telling, but we see
none.
But where shall these things stop?
There are laws against bribery but
they are dead letter. For years bri-
berry has been practiced at the elections
in Kent and Sussex counties and all
parties have been guilty of the practice.
The Democratic papers, to prejudice
the people, raise cry against the
Republican Party, and net one of
them but knows bis own party is the
more guilty of the two. The practice
should be stopped but when the thief
gets in the procession crying "stop
thief" the rascal usually escapes. How
can it be stopped? 1t is the threaten
ing danger of this Republic to-day.
Its danger in Delaware was never
greater than at the present time. The
get-there politicians among the Demo-
Gratis are corrupting the colored voters.
Any division of the colored vote on
an intelligent issue would be MOST
welcome, but when money shall con-
troll it, as it does in some sections to-
day, honesty in government will re-
ceive hard blow. The men who buy |
will control and they must be paid for
their trouble and output. The tax
payers must suffer.
But bribery is not confined to poll
tics. In these latter days the publisher
must give chrome, the merchant az
premium, and the real estate agent
must promise good part of the earth.
Fhe effort is to get som sthing for
nothing, and at the expense of another.
There are those who claim it has crept
into the church. Not in one church
but In many and it knows no demo-
minational lines. 'For shame!n "for
shame P'is the cry Of the goody-goody
'tickler for outward forms and cere-
monies, but it is the truth and the
believes in proclaming
,he truth. There is bribery in the
church and there is little hope of cur
'ailing it in the State while it is prac-
iced by men who stand in and around
he sacred desk. 1t is of a stealthy
character and creaps in where tits least
expected. Let thinking men consider
What we say and ponder upon the
Methods to be employed to eradicate it
cot and branch. 1t can be done. It
will be done, and the sooner it is done
he better.
Are there those who doubt what we
ay? Is higher authority called for I?
listen and consider the following from
'ishop Warren of the M. E. Church
, the Denver Christian advocate upon
ne election of delegates to the ap-
General Conference:
= Especially should the voter beware
being bribed. That is word of i'll t
men, and when money is accepted it d
Is disgrace and judicial penalty at \
Iched. But money considerations are
otmore really disgracefnl than others.
1me souls are clean enough to feel 8
ore stained with Thought of the 4
.art than others feel at deed of pun q
liable crime. u
Suppose man says Of his candidate
He is good fellow and gave us the =
ymnals for our church," or suppose tt
man Is violent partisan of another d
cause his wife has present Of a silk NJ
ess pattern of picture books; he has
realty sold out his vote as il the 4
,ney were paid in hand. :
Many are puIchasable by fattery .
% would resent being influenced by n
ssents, Suppose man say, "You v
pht TO have one of the best appoint n,
,nts in the CunfeIence;'' or, " lwish \,
we're in position to give you better = :,