The Rykert Scandal [broadside], ca. 1875

Abstract

A broadside entitled “The Rykert Scandal”, containing excerpts from the report of the findings of the Select Committee on the charges against J.C. Rykert, Esq., M.P.P (Lincoln)., by the Honourable Archibald McKellar. Rykert was accused of taking money from various parties, including the Great Western Railway Company of Canada and the Toronto Street Railway Company, for “parliamentary” and “professional” services rendered. Following the summary of the report, it is concluded that “from the observations made in the above debate, it will be seen that nothing but the early closing of the Session saved Mr. Rykert from expulsion from the Legislature. He was virtually condemned by both parties for his misconduct”. As an election was imminent, it was followed “Electors of Lincoln! Can you as honorable men, in view of the above facts, endorse Mr. Rykert?...Surely Lincoln cannot be so far lost as to a sense of right and the necessity of the independence of Parliament, as to elect our sordid venal and disgraced representative, in preference to honest and worthy Sylvester Neelon, a man of unimpeachable integrity and purity of life, who is an honor alike to our Town and County.”