Middletown transcript., 1899-03-25
MIDDLEToWN. DEL. MAR. IS, 1899
! THOROUGH INVESTIGATION

30 indignant at the additional disgrace
Of corruption charged in her legislative
halls as they are to day. They demand
an iyestigation that shall cover every |
charge, every runner. The TRANSCRIPT
would not make political capital out OF
the situation, it is too serious to the fu-
ture Of the State, yet we cannot but re,
call the failure to convict in single |
instance for bribery at our general elec-
tions when the charges and counter |
charges have been almost innumerable. |
The evil has climbed higher according |
to the almost universal belief of the
people and the demand is that every |
man with the least knowledge against |
either the bribe-giyer or the bribe-taker
shallimpart that informal ion to the
proper authorities. No honest citizen
can afford to be silent in this matter
having valuable information. II nee
essary the authorities should summon
every member of TIE Assembly to tes-
tify as to his knowledge. This is no
reflection upon the integrity or honor
Of the members, but only that the au-
thorities may have the truth and the
whole truth. The people anxiouly
await the official investigation.
The newspapers Of the State, except
ing the Addicks contingent and certain
Wilmington papers which swing from
one side to another of question, speak
with no uncertain sound upon the sub
jeet. They denounce treachery and de-
mand investigation. Upon our first
page this week will be found numer-
GUS editorial comments from our ex-
changes. There is therein more Of pa
triotism and less of partisanship than
usually appears in party papers. And
the editors are keeping up the fire, in
dicating the popular feeling. We quote
from the mid-Weekly issue of the ''Del-
aWarean:v
There can be no question that pub
lie sent imant demands an investigation,
If we canhaEe the right kind Of inyes-
tigation. But if any investigation is
to be undertaken it should be thorough.
Public opinion is already sufficiently
pronounced Ia regard to the three un-
fortunate men who openly betrayed
their party and violated their trust on
the last day Of the session Of the Legis-
lature. But there have been ugly rum
ors about other members Of the Legis-
lature and about Democrats and Re-
publicans who are not members Of the
Legislature. All charges and insinua-
tions. no matter who may be affected
by them, should be thoroughly sifted
and the truth laid bare.
An investigation 10 have any valre
must be thorough, and in order to make
such aninvestigation the Attorney Gen.
eral In all probability would need con-
siderable fund. If such an investiga-
tion can be made we are heartily in
favor Of it and are willing to aid. But
We insist that any investigation. ought
to be thorough and complete. Every
guilty man should be exposed and pun,
ished.
"We believe thatva partial and in
complete investigation would be worse
than none. The accused would all re-
joice a. an unsuccessful investigation
and hail it as vindication.
"There ought to be no trouble 10
raise in this State the amount of money
needed for proper investigation. We
do not assume to say how much is
needed; that is matter for the Attor-
ney General to determine. But we do
believe that large sum may be neces,
sary: There are number Of men of
large means in this State, especially in
the City of Wilmington, in both parties
opposed to corrupt politics, who in our
opinion would respond literally to
proper appeal for financial assistan ce
10 securing thorough Investigation.
'sThe matter ought not to be dropped
for lack Of funds Of any other cause.
Let Us have an Investigation, and let it
be thorough and impartial
Upon this line The Dover Index ably
edited and with an arder that burns
with patriotism, speaks directly to the
point It says:
"The cry of the hour is for an .nyes-
tigation Of the scandal of the thirteenth
of this month. Not for the three trail
tors, but for others implicated with
them.
An erroneous impression was at
first current that no law existed in this
State for the judicial punishment of
such offenders, but this has been COM
pletely set Alright by the indisputable
fact that no statute is necessary for the
conviction of such an offense; what is
known as the common law being all
sufficient for this purpose.
This being we'll established, 1t goes
without saying that thorough sinves-
tigation must be had. Nevertheless,
no investigation will prove fruitful of
results unless all good men lend to the
State officials their individual aid and
assistance.
.Rumor presistantly insists that other
legislators were offered bfibes for their
votes. If this be true, those legislators
have but one thing to do; to diyulge all
the facts to The proper officers. Ii is not
simply proper tfsat they should do this,
ID Is more; it is their clear and impera-
tive duty.
This is no time for polite standing
u cermony, and entertaining nice
Ecruples as to one,s own feelings. The
people of this State have fights. They
desire and demand that ell implicated |