The Bedford Gazette

Money for Elections.

To take them at their word, the leaders of the Republican party are the purest, most virtuous and incorruptible set of men that this earth of ours has been blessed withal, since the days of Cincinnatus, the Roman. They go into fits of holy agony over the bare idea of official position being used for the purposes of party success, and weep like very angels of virtue, when they contemplate that money has been or may be made an agent in producing election results. After all, we are presumptuous enough to confess to a belief which has long been impressed on our minds, that these political Uriah Heeps who are so "humble" and so unsophisticated are not incorruptible.

Two weeks ago, the Hon. John Covode (ironically called honest John) moved in the House, the appointment of a select committee to inquire whether money had been used in Pennsylvania, in the last Presidential election, and from what source it was obtained. Very well. That is all right; if there has been bribery and corruption, let us know of it. Simple hearted people would think, from the fact of his taking the lead in this matter, that Covode was a pious christian man, honestly trying to ferret out party knavery. But we have a fact to present, which shows him to be a political hypocrite and the Republican leaders with whom he acts to be as deeply in the mire of party corruption as ever they accused honest Democrats of being. The Republican Congressional Executive Committee, at Washington City, have issued a secret circular, in which they very earnestly press upon the Republican party the importance of contributing money for the purpose of carrying on the campaign. The circular, we say was secret, but very fortunately it has come to light, and the whole scheme of corrupt influence has been laid bare. The identical John Covode, of whom we have spoken, is one of the committee, and the Democratic party using money in elections. Money by the thousands of dollars will be collected and expended for the purpose of carrying the next election: press and stump orators will be hired and bought over, yet the leaders of the Republican party will continue to bawl out "corruption" against us, without once showing a sign of shame.—Washington Examiner.