Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-12-22
The 8eafora alnqalrff.
BEDFORD. Pa, FRIDAY DEo. y, 1865.
T4F CAsE OF MIR. kOONTZ.


The contested election case for member
of Congress from this District, has
not yet been settled, aud according 10 usual
precedent, it win be long before the question
il finally determined; perhaps not before the
close Of the present session, We do not pre-
tend to disguise that there viii be considera-
ble difficulty in getting nd of Mr.. Coffroth,
notwithstanding Gen. Koontz's clear right to
the seat It is now said that the warmestsup-
porters of Cofroth are the Republicans whom
he propitiated by his vote in favor Of the
amendment abolishing slavery; and it is not
matter for the least wonder that they should
do everything within their power, consistent
with Justice, in favor Of one who came to
their support in the hour Of need. 1t is but
natural, in consideration Of that vote against
slavery, that the majority should exhaust eve
ry fair and legal means TO give Cofroth the
seat; but when all is done, it will be found
that Gen. Koontz has majority of the votes,
and we trust the question viii be decided ac-
cordingIy.
II 10 r-ol-I.I@ sL.-s ~ e,y---:esyv on rsIec.
tions viii soon report, giving to one of the
claimants, the seat and compelling the other
to contest bis right; and Mr. Coffroth may
have secured an interest among the Republi-
cans sufficient to decide this preliminary ques-
ton in his favor. Indeed it has been fre-
quently asserted that this was part of the
consideration for his antislavery vote.
It may be that bribery is one of the resery-
ed rights of Republics; it is possible that it IS
necessary sometimes to resort toitto save the
government itself; but it is fatal doctrine to
inculcate in our normal schools, or to estab-
lish in our halls of legislation. 1t can only
be in the last resort, and for the noblest pur-
poses, that the end can justify the means; and
il is possible that this is one of those extreme
cases that occur at long intervals in the life of
a free nation. Historians frequently attempt
a weak palliation for the extensive system of
corruption by which Walpole kept the fox
hunting squires of Queen Anne to the work,
and thus sustained Marlborough his splendid
campaigns against Louis XIV. Ma
cauley makes poor excuse for his favorite,
Warren Hastings, in his corruption of the in
famous Impey. But neither the successes of
Walpole, nor the speciens sophistries of Hume
and Macauley, nor the brilliant achievements
of some of our modern railroad kings, have
been able to make bribery popular institu
ton in America.
1t is true that when blundering constitu
ency sends a fellow like Cohroth to Congress,
he must not be permitted to stand in the way
of wise and wholesome legislation, and impede
by his vote, measures demanded by the pro
gress of the age, and by the necessities of the
country. He must be disposed of some way
or other, no doubt and sometimes, according
to the loose notions of political morality that
prevail among us, bribery is deemed the short
st,easiest and dquickest way. But, ifit isneces-
sary to reward Mr. Coffroth for that impor-
tant vote, let him be paid the cash, and take his
receiptin full and getrid of him and the whole
Observation-Disclosures and forever Butitis
altogether too much that the innocent people
of this district should be twice afflicted with
Mr.. Coffroth to pay for that vote. Once was
too much of him in all conscience. We have
not elected him a second time, and we do not
mean that he shall misrepresent US.
Gen. Koontz is man who viii always sus-
tain the right without fear, favor or hope of
reward. He is a gentleman OF ability and
requirements. He has been an anti-slayery
man throughout life. He has received clear
majority of the votes of this district. If, in
spite Of his indisputable right to seat
in the present Congress, he should be put
aside to reward Mr.. Cofroth, no man can an
swer for the effect that viii be produced, not
merely in this district, but throughout the
whole country, when all the facts shall have
been spread before the people, as they assur-
edly viii be. Every vote cast at the election of
'64 will be carefully scanned, and whenit shall
be found, that to the minority candidate, de-
feated by our brave soldiers in the field, is
given the seat, il viii viii Dc more to bring odium
upon the present Congress, and reproach up
on representative government, than ary other
political act that can be imagined But we
repeat that we are confident that justice
will prevail, and that the right of Gen. Koontz
and of this district, which he represents, will
be established.
AULD LANG SYNE.