Columbia gazette., 1854-01-21
THE BRIBERY CASE.

IL Il Dh ID IH NASE.
: It was understood at Benicia that Inc
attempt-at-bribery. case would come up
to-day. 1t is very serious matter, and
is the all absorbing topic of conversation.
The fullest particulars concerning the
affair arc published in the S. f. Herald
Of Sunday. These particulars are as
follows:
cit is not without deep regret that
we approach, this morning, the perform
ance of an unpleasant duty-that Of
bringing to the notice of the public an
attempt to corrupt one of the represen-
.tatives Of the people by the offer Of
large sum Of money If the existence
of this painful fact depended on mere
rumor, or fit were q matter not ser
iously involving the public interests, We
would be disposed to hesitate before
giving it publicity; but, as the proof is
.tanoible-as the fact is notorious to the
body to one ofwhose members the bribe
was offered and as it is but just to all
parties that the truth should be known,
we do not feel justified in any longer
holding back the circumstances from the
knowledge Of cur citizens.
ct is Well known that for some time
past an insane effort has been made to
force on, contrary to rule, precedent,
and propriety, the Senatorial election at
the present session of the Legislature
We have f.on the beginning regarded
this attempt 50 idle and preposterous as
not to be worthy Of being seriou>ly COM
batted. But it woull appear that the
ilea is ve~y snious'y ent ,rtained by
some of the advocates Of the measure,
and that they were sadly indifferent as
TO the means by which their object
could be accomplished A brbe las
been directly offered to a Senator of
California we are to make the
world the humiliating announcement -
and another bribe equal in amo"nr, has
been indirectly offered to another, in
order that the votes of those gentlemen
might be secured in favor OF an imme-
diate election.
''The facts, az we have received them
from unique ,ti)nable aiih ,.isy, are as
fellow: About week since, leading
member OF one of the principal banking
houses in this city approaching the
Senator from Butte county, who was
believed 30 be oppos d to the election
aud directly offered him the sum of s.,
600 in consideration Of his voting to
bring ii an during The present session
at the same time proposing to place in
his hands tie al ii.ional sum Of $, 900
'to be given to another Senator from a
: Northern district If the State, in order
! T. S cure bis vote for the same measure.
The propose ion was iniignan'ly repoll-
I'd, All shortly after the Senator who
lad beer approached Left the city foi
. G,nicia.
-Evcry possible means have been
! employed TO prevent the development
! Of the facts. Entrea;igs, promises Of
reward, ana fin lly threats of personal
. vio!cncc--as We are informcd-were in
E ,urn made use Of. but without avail -
Yesterday, or the day b fore, the Sena-
tor communicated the circumstances to
Jnigo Of one Of the State Courts,
!. who embodied them in the form of an
aft lavit which has been subscribed and
sv!'n t, b. tn S,aat,- to wlo1n the
b.ibe vas directly offered These are
substantially the facts We have obtained,
AMI with full authority to use the names
of our inio,mants. We understand the
affidavit is probably already in type and
Will appear to NOR w no nnr. Until
the facts shall be clearly set before the
public in this affidavit We choose to re-
train from all comment"