The record-union., 1897-02-04
THE ASSEMBLY SCANDAL.

There is no trespassing upon the wise
fetal body Of investigation should not
be anticipated in criticism in a way
to prejudice the case of any one under
official scrutiny. in saying that the ex-
animation by the Assembly committee
in the Duckworth case has TO this date
developed a lamentable and shameful
lack of moral sensibility.
1t appears indisputably that a senti-
ment prevails, to an extent that very
nearly establishes a custom pardonable
and common. that it is legitimate poll
ties 10 rake" the State treasury for
all that is in it, and that the thinnest
possible cover of excuse is sufficient to
warrant the looting.
II official conscience has so far lost its
sensItiveness as is Indicated in the
Duckworth case, then indeed the State
as a political body has fallen to as low
a level as the bitterest enemies of free
government could desire to demonstrate
the incapacity Of the people for self-gov-
eminent.
Happily even frequent instances of
misuse of power do not in the law
establish a rule. The laws proceed upon
a sound moral plane; the trouble is that
constituencies men make partisanship
the excuse for perversion of the laws
and misleading of their text. Partisan
no
cases that the practical politician" has
come 70 regard legitimate any methods
of administration which Will further
party advantages, regardless Of State
and general interests.
If State affairs are to continue TO be
administered in the interest Of party
rather than Of the social and political
body as a whole, then government has
become but a means for party ends
Happily, however, such IS not the case
along the whole line. There are depart
ments Of State government where I'M
selhshness and a profound sense Of duty
under official obligation rise superior
to all other considerations. This saving
salt we believe is represented in ma
Jority of State departments. That it
is wanting in any IS a deplorable and
shameful fact.
The thing to do, so far as legislators
are concerned, is to put aside party and
party advantage and loss and follow up
the truth no matter what its effect. r.,
as Is alleged. there are SO many of the
Legislators we elect who become tarred
with the same stick used by the hood
lers that complete exposure cannot
be expected. then it devolves upon the
people to erect legislative bodies so COM
posed that chicane and dishonesty will
find no hiding place in them.
We are not disposed, however, to be-
neve that the wholesale charge OF pros
tltution Of the legislative Office to the
ends of partisanship and the greed Of
boodlers IS well founded. We prefer to
entertain the belief that the Legislature.
as now composed, is capable Of washing
its own linen and exposing corruption
wherever Il may hide
4 lie AtGR+A ~ tA IA inquiry has dfAEdtAS
brought TO light sufficient want Of con-
science on the part of some public ad-
ministrators, to warrant the hope tina.
there VIII be no whitewashing nor ex-
cusing. If this hope proves to be well
entertained then the Assembly is
bound, and It cannot escape the duty. to
pronounce itself guilty Of gross careless
ness. 10 say the least, and TO ask from
the people pardon.
The Durkworth scandal would have
been impossible had legislative agencies
over which the House has complete con-
troll BEEN held to their duty. Indeed.
had the members. or q majority Of them,
been os deeply impressed with the sol
emuity Of obligation taken as legisla-
tors as they should be, the scandalous
payroll Of the preliminary organiza ton
would never have got beyond the doors
OF fthe House We reiterate our state
ment, made in the outset Of the inquiry