Pennsylvania knows two roads to government reform. One is from the inside, with more openness and accountability for the public. The other, from the outside, was on gut-wrenching display in Harrisburg yesterday: indictments and prosecution.

A year and a half after an aide to House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese called staff bonuses footed by the taxpayers "an internal personnel matter," state Attorney General Tom Corbett begged to differ.

Based on reports from two grand juries, he filed charges against former Rep. Mike Veon of Beaver Falls (Mr. DeWeese's longtime lieutenant), Rep. Sean Ramaley of Economy (who had been favored to win a Senate seat this year) and 10 House aides, including Mr. DeWeese's former chief of staff, in connection with claims that state employees were paid for political work.

Mr. Corbett has been investigating the case since last year, after the Post-Gazette and other newspapers uncovered details of the hefty, unsupported and initially undisclosed bonuses that had gone to legislative employees who were heavily involved in campaigns.

The Democrats' efforts to milk the system and divert public dollars for political or personal use was the height of arrogance. Now two grand juries say it's time to pay.

We don't know where these charges will ultimately lead and yesterday Mr. Corbett was clear that this is not the end. Next stop is finding out from the accused whether others were involved and whether other corruption was afoot. It can only get uglier.

The attorney general deserves credit for his steady, determined approach to the case. The Democratic House leadership, as we've said before, deserves a thorough housecleaning, regardless of the names on the indictments, from Bill DeWeese on down.

An internal matter? The public's business never is.