Year: 1876

It is painful to witness the ex- tent to which corruption has en- tered into all the avenues of our Government. Even Congress, that exalted body which should be an example to all the State le- gislatures, is rotten to the core. Bribery and corruption have be- come the rule, Congressmen are brought and sold like hogs and sheep, by soulless scoundrels who throng the Capital during the ses' sion, for the purpose of getting some bill passed embracing some scheme by which they can enrich themselves at the expense of the Government and people, or to pre- vent the passage of some bill that would curtail and cheek their wholesale robberies It is a burn ing shame upon the country that one Congressman can be found, who would for any amount of mo- ney sell his vote or his influence upon any question. Yet it is a lamentabIe fact that they are found. And to such all extent has this corruption gained footing in our National Legislature that the most ObServant men in Washing ton believe that two thirds of the members of the present Congress can be bought for a price. It is a notorious fact that of latter years many men have been elected to Congress who were all their lives poor men, but who after a session returned home rich and indepen- dent. And this too when it is well known that the legitimate income of a member of Congress is barely sufficient to allow him to live decently while in Washing ton and pay his travelling expen- ses. Then how did he become rich so suddenly? There can be but one answer to that question, and that is, by.cOrruptdOn. He re- ceived 6ri6es. Now bribery is a high crime, according to the sta tutes of the United States, and either he who offers or he who re- ceives a bribe is subjected to se- were punishment. The law pro- vides that every person who pro- misses, offers or gives anything of any value, to any member of eith- CT House of Congress, with intent to influence his vote or decision on any question, matter, cause, or proceeding which may be at any time pending in either House ot Congress, or before any Commit tee thereof, shall be fined not more than three times the amount o money or value of the thing so of fered, promised, given, made ol rendered, and shall be, moreover imprisoned not more than three years. And the law also provides the same penalty for any member of Congress who accepts or re ceives any money, reward, or pro mise to affect his vote, influence or decision, on any question. Nov why is the law never enforced il regard to those rascally Congress men? Where are the renowned detectives, who can smell out an, poor rogue who steals a dollar

 The answer is plain again thes

 Congressional scoundrels bribe th

 detectives to shield them from al

 rest and punishment. Thus

 ring of the most depraved rascal

 and perjured williams hold higI

 carnival in Washington, bringin

 our country and our institution

 into disgrace and shame befor

 the nations of the earth. W

 have an example in point. Tn

 Texas and Pacific Railroad Woul

 have been built long ago, had

 not been that the heartless mono

 poly owning the other line acros

 the continent, always had thei

 minlons and 1unkies at Washing

 4 ;4L +bo;r y11ilIiOus Of mono