Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1901-11-15
pExSsrLvAS1A's RIO Of SHANE.

In nearly every state there is some
corruption Of the body polite. but it
Is a matter Of congratulaion to
Democrats that they car point with
pride to how little there there is in
tho states controlled by their party.
On the other hand. there il hardly a
single Republican state that has moi
had a &C nual connected with the
meeting Of the legislatures. In some
states SO notorious is the corruption
that. as in Pennsylvania, even Re-
publican newspapers are compelled
to denounce it. The utter depravity
OF the Republican machine "a be
seen when the PIttsburg Post says:
~No better illustration Is available
as an object lesson than the bribery
and corruption which ran riot in the
last legislature Of Pennsylvania. II
was something awful l its extent
and its audacity. Every part OF tie
state has become familiar with the
purchase Of votes Of Legislators. the
prices paid and the influential
character OF the men in business and
social life who did the buying.
THAT is the worst OF it. The bid
ders for votes, with their pockets
crammed with bribe money, which
they lavlshly disbursed, are Of the
class who should be expected to set II
good example and maintain a high
standard OF public morality. In
stead Of dong that they do the re.
verse. They make the most infa-
nous crime fashionable aud Il mat.
ter for ~jocular remarks rather than
the most bitter denunciation possible
followed by criminal prosecution und
severe punishment. Between Sl.00n,-
000 and 100000 OF bride money
waB discussed ut Harrisburg last
winter and spring by men Of promi-
pence who would consider them
selves harshly and uniustly assailed
il set down as anarchists. But are
they moi hnarchists? The anarchists
would destroy all Cover nment, but
what difference is there between that
Pud corrupting government and max
ing 1t a reproach and a shame? Re
publics can be destroyed without the
shedding OF blood by the power OF
bribery and corruption.
alt is no surprise TO learn that the
monstrous example Of the carnival ol
bribery at Harrisburg last winter la.
established itself in the cities and
boroughs Of the state and that the
price OF votes is almost ID quotablt
an article as tho price OF pork, fioul
or whiskey. We hear remarkable
stories OF the bribery OF councilmer
in Pittsburg and Allegheny and in
some OF the smaller cities and oven
IN tho boroughs OF the rural districts
II legislators accept brides for the
discharge Of their public duties, it if
nc surprise that the local Legislative
bodies should do so. Sometimes
matters have reached such a pass
that they are bribed to do right us
well as to do wrong. They have no
conscience IN the matter, and the
iron clnd constitutional oath has no
more effect than go much waste
paper.
"This fearful crime ia increasing
II the briberies TINT are talked OF pri
vatPty could be made public with in.
controvertible testimony Of the crime
such as e~Iists. a revolution would be
created. The bribed rascals who sell
their votes are bad enough and
should be drummed out OF public
life and iuto the s~eclusiOu OF the pea.
i%tentiary. But are they the worst Of
the criminals? Ia not the crime 81
Offering brides by men OF standing il
business, in tho professions and il
politics infinitely worse? The peopl,
OF all parties should arouse them
selves to this great peril to our insti
buttons and to the cause Of public
morality. 1t is anarchy in its mos
odious and demoralizing character
The bnbcd ones arc anarchists nh
the bribers moro so, Rs instructor
and temtters OIL the same highway b
perdition."