How Members of Congress Are Bribed | Page 6

switched Senator Spencer of Alabama and Walker of Virginia this
week, but you know they can be switched back with the proper
arrangements when they are wanted; but Scott is asking for so much
that he can promise largely to pay when he wins, and you know I keep
on high ground." (No. 110. N.Y., Jan. 29th, 1876.)
And again:
"When I see you I shall have much to tell you of Washington matters
that I have not time to write, but I keep on high ground so that we
cannot be hurt by any investigation." (No. 138. N.Y., March 23d,
1876.)
No just inference can be drawn from such confidential utterances that
the "high ground" of safety was fertile soil bearing the flowers and
fruits of political purity, rather than a chosen rock of refuge from

continuous danger; and the allusion to possible "investigation" involves
the confession that it was deserved and the dread that it might occur.

Use of Influence, and Power of Money.

But, there is no obscurity of meaning, nor is there much room for doubt,
that there is the expression of mature judgment based upon wide
experience and ample practice, in the following:
"I think this coming session of Congress will be composed of the
hungriest set of men that ever got together." (No. 389. N.Y., Nov. 30th,
1874.)
"I sent a man to Richmond, Va., on Saturday, and one to Albany to-day,
to get resolutions passed by the legislatures against subsidies. I think it
will control two members of the R. R. Committee." (No. 117. N. Y.,
Feb. 14th, 1876.)
"I left Washington on Friday, the 11th. I think our matters are safe there
for the Session." (No. 218. N. Y., Aug. 4th, 1876).
"I think our land matters in Washington have been fixed." (No. 366. N.
Y., Oct. 29th, 1877.)
"I think the R. R. Committee is right" (as made up for the 45th
Congress), "but the Com. on Territories I do not like. A different one
was promised me." (No. 373. N. Y., Oct. 30th, 1877.)
"I do not think we can get any legislation this session for extension of
land grants unless we pay more for it than it is worth." (No. 378. N. Y.,
Nov. 9th, 1877.)
"If we are not hurt this session it will be because we pay much money
to prevent it." (No. 381. N. Y., Nov. 15th, 1877.)
"This Congress is nothing but an agrarian camp." (No. 449. N. Y.,

April 19th, 1878).
"I have done all I can to prevent certain bills from being reached, and
do not think any bills can be that will hurt us." (No. 468. N. Y., June
15th, 1878.)
"I have received several letters and telegrams from Washington to-day,
all calling me there, as Scott will certainly pass his Texas Pacific bill if
I do not come over; and I shall go over to-night. * * * It cost money to
fix things so that I would know his bill would not pass. I believe that
with $200,000 I can pass our bill." (No. 107. N. Y., Jan. 17, 1876.)

A Low Estimate of Congressional Brains and Public Interest.

The alarm evidently felt and certainly shown that the Central Pacific
and Southern Pacific were apt to be commonly considered and treated
as being one concern, and not as distinct and separate things -
incestuous and eager lovers instead of alien rivals and natural foes -
conspirators rather than competitors - would be simply amusing were it
less offensive and more in accordant vibration with the pulsations of
common sense amongst a people not wholly fools. That it was thought
possible to foster the idea and expand it into a belief, that Stanford,
Huntington, the Crockers and Hopkins - Janus faced - looking northerly
along monopoly lines, were the implacable enemies of the Crockers,
Stanford, Hopkins and Huntington gazing along monopoly lines
southerly; and that the interests of the government and the good of the
people required the tender coddling of that nursling until it became
strong enough to sit up and take nourishment in the shape of meaty
millions of dollars, involves a sarcastic comment upon measured law
makers and estimated victims. Yet the improbable becomes at times the
possible and the actual.
Mark the plaintive wailing in the letters:
"On account of this legislation I think it important that the S. P. should

be disconnected from the Central as much as it well can be." (No. 416.
N. Y., Dec. 10, 1874.)
"Governor S. said some good things to the Chronicle interviewer; but I
think it unfortunate that he should so closely connect the C. P. with the
S. P., as that is the only weapon our enemies have to fight us with in
Congress." (No. 590. N.Y.,