Bribery Scandal Quotes
In the 1824 presidential election Jackson won a plurality of popular and electoral votes but not a majority. The election was thrown into the House of Representatives where Speaker Henry Clay cut a deal with John Quincy Adams who had finished second. Adams became President and Clay, Secretary of State.
Commenting on an FBI sting operation to uncover government corruption:
Reflecting on the reasons for the coup that ousted him as President of Haiti:
Russia has a vast border common with China and there has always been much trade and intercourse between the cultures. The Chinese were in many ways much more sophisticated than the Russians who were feudal for many years, The formality and structure of the bribery system was astounding to the Russians. Ironically, the Russians learned very well and corruption and bribery is commonplace in Russia and is tolerated by the government and the culture. In China however, the modern government, with full knowledge of the incredible tradition and history of Chinese bribery and corruption, is draconian when officials are caught. The death penalty is commonly meted out rapidly to Chinese officials accepting bribes and to those who did the bribing. With the rapid economic growth of China, there is worry that some of the old ways will return/
The bill went down to a narrow defeat, but the Republican leadership of the House held the vote open for a record setting 3 hours, until they could persuade enough members to reverse their vote. After the 3 hours, the bill passed by one vote. The House Ethics Committee did not see that as sufficient reason to start an ethics investigation.
