Note 141 — Chapter II
Reading edition
“That there were ‘rings’ formed in both houses of the legislature for the sole and express purpose of blackmailing the people and plundering the treasury of the State, is perhaps a lamentable and humiliating fact. That there are men of both parties engaged in this disgraceful proceeding—men who would sell out their birthright for a mess of pottage, may also be true.” Quoted from the Crescent in a Congressional document.
The Bee says, Feb. 17, 1869, being reproached with accusing Democrats of joining in the corruption: “It was only yesterday that one of their own number, in our hearing, confessed the truth of the charge.”