New-York tribune., 1872-04-24
THE JIGHT THAT rs DIZZINESS

More than year ago, Powell Clayton, then
Governor of Arkansas, took his seat in
the U. S. Senate, pursuant to an election re-
Gently made by the Legislature of his State
1t was simultaneously charged that this
election had been secured by wholesale
villany-that, to effect it, Gov. Clayton had
returned, not only legislators, but Repre-
sentative in Congress, III f1agrant violation
of law and justice. Color is given to this as
sumption by unanimous report OF the
exceptionally fair and just Committee of
Elections of the present House of Represent
atives, ejecting John Edwards, whom Clayton
had returned as member of that House, and
according the seat to Thomas Boles. The
House. on receiving tho report, ratified 1t and
seated Mr.. Boles without division
Upon formal complaint with specifications
from Arkansas, the Senate ordered an investi-
CATION of the charges against Clayton but
months have since intervened, and no report
is forthcoming so Clayton still sits and votes
as a Senator. We do not PREJUDICE his case /;
we may be ignorant of material parts of it /;
but we cannot be mistaken in insisting that
the Committee should ere this have reported.
Either Clayton is grossly wronged and his
standing impaired by false charges, or he
ought ere this to have been kicked out of the
Senate. When will that Committee report
VIII it attempt to tide over the approaching
adjournment Why docs it make no sign7
Grave charges of corruption and bribery
hang over the two Senators from Kansas.
They are accused by the present Legislature
of their State of having bought their elections
respectively. That Legislature has examined
on oath many witnesses, and printed their
testimony, which has been for some days in
the Senate's possession. The inculpated Sen
ators, when the charge was first noticed by
them, proclaimed their readiness to meet their
accusers promptly and manfully. That bra
vado they do not now justify. They have
acted, till yesterday, as if in no hurry to
vindicate their smirched regulations. Yet we
are assured that good men and true from
Kansas have been in Washington, ready and
anxious to give testimony in support of the
serious charges affirmed by the Legislature.
Months ago, Louisiana seemed on the brink
of a fresh civil war. Rival factions of the
Republican majority in her Legislature were
the belligerents. Two rival Houses were form
ed, each claiming to have a quorum Of all the
members elected The Senate was less equally
divided: so the minority fled the jurisdiction,
taking refuge on board revenue cutter con-
trolled by the Collector of the Port Zone of
the Presidents brothers-in-law), and were
transported up and down the Mississippi for
some days, so that no process could be served
Oh them by the Senates officers. For days,
wholesale blOOdshed seemed imminent, but
Gov. Warmoth's facton'ultimately triumphed,
and order was restored Congress very
properly ordered an official inquiry into
these disgraceful proceedings, sending
Committee to New-Orleans to make it.
many witnesses, returned, and made its report.
So much was accomplished weeks ago. But
the report is not forthcoming, and the
testimony is still imprinted. We complain,
and the Public Printer responds that it is not
his fault but a small part of the copy has |
reached him. The Committee interplead that |
they have not stopped the printing nor pur-
posely withheld the copy. Thus the shuttle |
cock may be knocked forth and back inter
minably; but the report and testimony are
still withheld, and are not likely to be public
property for weeks yet. Meantime, Civil Ser
vice Reform gets more than one black eye, and
the close of the Session approaches. 1t is
manifest that somebody prefers that this testi-
mony should appear i'll May rather than April,
and would not be averse to its being held
back till June.
Is it not plain that those who prefer dark
ness to light are still numerous and powerful
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The Ereaia0 Post viii oblige us if it will