hefts by the issue of stocks and bonds and the
creation of a floating debt, which formed no part of his
statements.[1224] When the committee on appropriations reported these
additions, "the increase," it was claimed in the progress of the
discussion, "was called for only by plunderers."

[Footnote 1224: Gustavus Myers, _History of Tammany Hall_, p. 274.]

The passage of these vicious appropriations, requiring the help of
Republicans, gave rise to numerous charges of bribery and corruption.
"It was fully believed here," said the _Tribune_, "that tax levies
supplied the means for fabricating naturalisation papers and hiring
repeaters whereby Republicans were swindled out of the vote of this
State."[1225] Other corrupt practices in connection with important
railroad legislation, having special reference to the passage of the
so-called "Erie Bill," likewise attracted public attention. But
Matthew Hale's investigating committee, after a long and fruitless
session in the summer of 1868, expressed the opinion that the crime of
bribery could not be proven under the law as it then existed, since
both parties to the transaction were liable to punishment. This led
to a new statute exempting from prosecution the giver of a bribe which
was accepted.

[Footnote 1225: New York _Tribune_, July 24, 1869.]

However, the Legislature elected in November, 1868, proved no less
plastic in the hands of the Boss, who again corrupted the tax levies.
After allowing every just item the committee coolly added six
millions,[1226] an amount subsequently reduced to three.[1227] This
iniquity was immediately denounced and exposed through pamphlets,
journals, and debates. Men frankly admitted that no reason or economic
principle justified the existence of such monstrous levies. Indeed,
every honest influence, legal, social, and political, opposed it. The
press condemned it, good men mourned over it, and wise men unmasked
it. But with the help of twenty Republicans, backed by the approval of
John T. Hoffman, the bill became a law. This time, however,
indignation did not die with the Legislature. The _Tribune_, charging
that the twenty Republican assemblymen whose names it published were
"bought and paid with cash stolen by means of tax levies," insisted
that "the rascals" should not be renominated. "We firmly believe," it
added, "that no Republican voted for these levies except for pay ...
and we say distinctly that we do not want victory this fall i