The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-17

Senator Samuel C. Pomeroy of Kansas
was burned in efiigy at Jacksonville, in the
southern part Of that State on the 18th of
last month. A vast crowd was in attendance
TO witness the spectacle, hear the speeches
and "see the fun" Before applying the
torch one DR.. Moore of Monmouth made
brief address, stating the object Of the meet
ing and explaining why it was deemed neces-
sary, and In which he declared that the afore-
said Senator had abused the trust reposed
in him by the people OF Kansas, had sacri-
feed their interests to he greed Of lnonopo-
lists and spectators, and by many dishonest
acts had rendered his name disgrace and re-
proach to The State. c.. D. Sayer, Esq. then
publicly charged him with acquiring = large
fortune by acts of dishonesty, at the conclu-
sion Of which the match was applied much
to the qualification OF the crowd, who testi-
fed their contempt for the Senator by loud
groans and opprobrious epithets The par
ticulars of the burning are given by the st.
Joseph No. Herald as follows:
A bright flame shot up, brilliantly lighting
the square, and showing with great distinct
ness the stern faces of the "bloody leaguers, y
gathered around to attest in this manner their
hatred of corruption in high places The fire
soon destroyed the burly legs of the recreant
Senator, consumed his capacious abdomen
and was toying with the bean-vine wreath
around his neck, when suddenly an explosion
occurred, and the remains of the efigy were
whirling in the air in burning fragments. "a
bean has busted yelled some one, but Ii was
learned afterward that it was pound of pow
der that had been stuffed in the figure.
Let him be forgotten" said burly leae uer,
as he carefully piled up the fragments that ali
might be consumed.
We know but little of this Senator Pome-
roy aside from the fact that he gained some
notoriety soon after the Presidential election
by making an ass of himself, in fulfilling an
election wager by the terms of which be was
to walk through the streets bareheaded, and
some unpleasant rumors that were current
about impeachment time, to the effect that
he had been indirectly negotiating for the sale
of his vote.
Whether the charges OF dishonesty and cor
ruption thus openly made against him are
true or false we are not prepared to say. II
false, time will vindeate his character and
bring remorse to the parties who have thus
traduced 1t. If true, we cannot but rejoice
that the people of Kansas have branded him
with the infamy which his wickedness de-
serves. True the burning of effigies is not a
New England custom and does not commend
itself to our judgment as the best mode of ex-
pressing contempt for a public servant who
has disgra,ed us, but the people of Kansas
must.be allowed to show their Indignation in
their own way, and as this is more harmless
and iDodensiye than some Of their primitive
customs, we ought to be glad that they pro-
ceeded no farther.
Every indication that the people will call
their public servants to account for cofruptly
using their influence and official station for
private profit and aggrandizement-tha they
will not tolerate the sale OF votes to corpora
lions, monopolies or rings, that they win in
quire into suspicious circumstances attaching
to any person whom they have elevated to
place and power,or to any candidate for popu-
lar favor, is refreshing to honest men and
will tend to improve the character and quail
ty of our public men and strengthen our pub
lie Institutions. A man who has an itching
palm should not be trusted in any official
station where his action may prejudice the
public interests and if once found guilty he
should be removed from temptation and
forced into retirement. No party can afford
to lend its countenance to men however able
and adroit who have not integrity enough to
keep clear of all corrupt combinations by
which their vote or influence is purchased for
money or its equivalent. Neither the inter
ests of the nation or the party are safe in
such hands and the sooner they are reduced
10 the ranks of private life the better win it
be for the country, and for the party to which
they may belong.
The Republican party will lose nothing by
showing up the corruption and wickedness of
men in high places, by demanding their
speedy removal, and by insisting that none
but those having clean hands shall minister
at its affairs, and represent it in the councils
Of the nation.