The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-04

1here are many men in the country con-
corning whom unpleasant stories are told, and
unfortunately many of these are in Congress.
Parton has recently been at some pains 10 OK
culpate the great body of congressman 'roni
the charge of venality and corruption' anu no
doubt the great tody of members deserve this
ejaculation, but recent letter from our
Washington correspondent reveals the up-
pleasant fact that there are conspicuous ex-
ceptions. The too sudden acquisition of wealth
by public man, who has no visible source of
income except his salary, is justly regarded by
our correspondent as suspicious circum-
stance, and one that in the absence of expla-
nation places the person to whom it relates
IN an unenviable position. Spectator" who
is perfectly conversant with Washington life
ana manners, hints that he will hereafter ia
vor us with more specific statements relating
10 the public men who have grown suddenly
and unaccountably rich. We believe that he
VIII mention the names of such office-holders
as he knows to have made use of improper
means to advance their private fortunes.
In spite of our easy federation of some kinds
OIL wee in this country, it is nevertheless true
that even among the better class of politicians
public man instantly loses caste by merce-
nary conduct in official position. We have in
mind at the present time number of cases
in which, within short time, prominent Re-
publican oficeholders have been remanded
to the obscurity Of private life by reason of
suspicious excited with respect to their integ-
rity. John P. Hale, and Gov Ashley of Mon
tana Territory may be mentioned as remark
able instances, though we are not prepared to
say that SO far as the former is concerned any
thing more than suspician has marred the
reputation that was once so enviable.
These reflections are suggested by the case
OF Senator Pomeroy of Kansas which is now
engrossing great deal of attention, especial
ly in the West. If one-half that is said ofMr.
Pomeroy by his own party associates is true.
it would be almost worth while to revive the
pillory and the, whipping-rost for his especial
benefit Tt will be remembered that not
long ago the Kansas Legislature passed res
olutlon inviting him to resign and also his as
soclate in the Senate and Mr.. Clarke. the
Representative of Kansas in the lower house.
1t seems that the two latter gentlemen are
from some reason suspected of completely
with Pomeroy. The Senator is accused of
having hand in all the railroad and steam
ship jobs, all the subsidies and all the corrupt
bargains that have come within his reach
He was poor when he went to Washington;
now he is rich, though engaged in no bust
ness. A Kansas paper alleges that it has seen
letter in Pomeroys own handwriting in
which he offered to vote for the acquittal of
Andrew johnson for stated sum, only few
days before he spoke and voted the other way.
1t Is stated that his offer was accepted and
thai the Presidents Secretary, Mr. Cooper,
came to pay him, when a difficulty arose ow-
ing to the fact that check for $4,000 was
presented in part payment, the other $4,000
being paid in cash. All these stories may be
the fabrcations of the Senator's personal en-
emies, but if they are true there is only one
way open to him, and that is out of the SEN
ate and into the Democratic party, so that he
may return to his place again when Democ-
racy is restored TO power; for Democracy
sends IFS gamblers, pugilists and. rogues,-its
Woods, Morrisseys and voorhees-to Con.
gress after they are known and appreciated as
scoundrels all over the country. Dishonesty.
when exposed, Is fa.al TO the political pros
poets OF members Of the party Of moral ideas,
and we hope that the example of PomeFoy's
doom may strike terror TO the hearts Of such
other Congressman as may be engaged in Sc
eret yiiiainy and such as have already lost the
whiteness Of their souls.