The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1903-10-29

in their power to correct the things
that dshonor and oppress, or by In.
difference allow them TO go on. The
highest duty confronting the Missouri
Democracy Is the eradication OF brib.
edy from public Office. II Is said
there has not been much boodling af-
ter all-only few petty offenders.
Let us see in general way what has
been developed.
Bribery Developments.
There came to ct. Louis in 1898 a
capitalist from New York seeking
franchise covering nearly all the
streets OF the city. He came like q
thief In the night. with tools Of green.
backs and gold. He paid TO the Mu-
niclpal Assembly s2b0.00O.00 in bribes
to get this franchise. twenty-five out
Of twenty. eight members OF the House
Of Delegates took bribes OF 100000
each. Seven members Cf the Council
were given from 100000 to sl7.500..
90 each for their votes One Coun'
Gilman took s25, 100000 from opposing
interests tO vote against the fran
chlse; then accepted from the promo.
ter $50 100000 to vote In favor of the
measure. Upon receipt of the latter
sum he returned the first amount to
the man who gave II to him. saying
that he could not keep II, as he did
not think he could honestly" earn 1t
by voting against the bill. Upon re.
Heclion he likewise returned the $780,
0c0.C0, with the suggestion that $780,.
10000 was the dignlfed amount he
wanted In the hope OF receiving this
he voted for the bill. and finally. after
many trials and tribulations, he sue
ceeded in getting 100000 These
seven members OF the Council were
paid a regular salary OF $b,O00OO
year each by street railroads TO serve
them instead of the people. The pro
moter got his franchise, which cost
him n quarter OF million dollars In
bribes, and sold It for $3.50. 10000.
The city received not cent for all
the streets given away. The promoter
obtained his franchise from the Mu-
nicipal Assembly. and also got FIVE
years In the penitentiary from jury
for bribery.
An ordinance to light the city was
hrlbed through the House Of Delegates
for s47.50000. The bargain was made
on the floor OF the House OF Delegates
between the bribs giver and the oom.
bine of brIbe takers The money was
given to one OF the combine, and after
the meeting these public servants met
at the house OF one Of their members
and divided the plundsr. On another
franchise these nineteen officialB,
members OF the combine, received
100000 each for their votes. For
still another franchise the combine OF
the House OF Delegates demanded
$75 10000. which was put in a lock
box of a trust company, one key be.
Ing held by the representative of the
railroad and the other by the agent Of
the combine, the agreement being that
the money as to be turned over to
the members OF the combine In the
House of Delegates when the ordi.
nance should be passed. This s7b.000.-
90 Is In the lock box now, having
been caught between the lines, and
has been produced In court during
the trials. Another corruption fund
OF $50 100000 Is In a lock box In an
other trust company, put there by
this railroad for members Of the City
Council. This likewise has been pro-
duced In court and counted before tu-
ries
There were combines formed In both
branches of the Mu' ripal Assembly
for the purpose of ge,..ns money for
the votes OF members Of the combine
on measures before the Assembly.
Laws were sold unblushingly to the
highest bidder for money to 60 into
the pockets OF these public pilforers.
Schedules Of bribe prices were estsb-
lished, ranging from a few hundred
OF dollars for q franchise. They tried
to sell or give away the water works.
the court house and tho union market
for their own enrichment. Nothing
was safe from their avarice. not even
the sewer pipes In the ground. Now.
these men were not band of robbers
who captured tho city by foros. but
they we're elected BY the people to b
the makers OF laws for them. Most
Of thsm were Republicans, and ths
majority Of those who gave tham the
bribes were Democrats. but that 10 Of
no consequence now-they were all
public plupderers. On one occasion
4 new member Of the combine was IN
the meeting whom they passed around
$500 each bribe money. The new
member asked II they were not affaN
they would get in trouble. They Ill
laughed heartily and reminded htu a
their political power; how sAsA a ~