Bribery

1.

In old English, theft, rapine, open violence, of Scial extortion. The rapacious dignitary was styled the briber^ and he was said to bribe when he boldly grasped his prey; ^now, the tempter is the briber' and the recipient the bribed.' ^ ' See Timmons v. State, 34 Ohio St. 427-31 (1878), cases; 68 N.,0.

207; 85 Pa. 54; 2 Chitty, Cr. L. 1092. a 3 BI. Com. 407; 105 ni. 668, 669. s 3 Bl. Com. 336. ■<1B1. Com. 62; 112 U. S. ISO. ' Coke, Litt. 73 6, 64 b; Steph. PI. *27. 2.

When a judge, or other person concerned in the administration of justice, takes any undue reward to influence his behavior in office. 1 Giving (and perhaps offering) to another anj'thing of value or any valuable service, intended to influence him in the discharge of a legal duty. It does not apply to a mere moral duty.^ The later and broader doctrine is that any attempt to influence an officer in his official conduct, whether in the executive, legislative, or judicial department of the government, by the offer of a reward or pecuniary consideration, is an indictable common-law misdemeanor. 3 A candidate for a judgeship who pledges himself, if elected, to serve at a less salary than that provided by law, virtually bribes the masses to vote for him,* Bribery in a judge of the United States courts, of a member of Congress, or of any officer of the United States, is punishable.* The general election laws of Pennsylvania prohibiting bribery include caucuses as well as elections for State officers; and the constitutional prohibition against violation of any " election law"" includes any law intended to purify, elections, then or thereafter in force." See Candidate. One who bribes another cannot maintain an action to recover the money.'

Compare Corkupt, 2.