The sun., 1872-04-24
Corruption in the Senate.

INC SeuHtes
The Senate of the United states contains
At this time mt least three men who, il all
that Is publicly alleged against them is
true, should be engaged otherwise than in
making laws for the government of honest
men.
The two Senators from Kansas. PoME-
ROY and CALDWELL, have had their acts in
vestigatcd by the Legislature of their own
State, and the result has been that they
have been declared guilty of high crimes
and misdemeanors. IL is alleged that both
these mon have resortcd TO bribery and
corruption to procure their election to the
Sennt"; and these charges, supported by
documentary evidence, have been trans
mttcd to the Nicc-prosdeut 10y the Rcpub-
lCun Governor of Kansas in order to
give the Senate an opportunity to deal
with its two unwoi .hy members. Instead
of promptly acting on the matter, the ma
jority of the Senate referred the reports of
the kan-as Investigating Committee to n
standing committee, who are likely TO keep
them from sight SO long as the present Ad-
mnistrution remains in power Both these
Senators are undertaking supporters of
GRANT, and fcalty to the personal interests
dence Of Republican principles which is
now recognized by the Administration
majority in Congress.
In regard to the case OF Senator CA1D-
WELL, letter from the Hon. SIDNEY
CLARK, addressed To the Chairman Of the
Senate Committee on Privileges, has Just
been published, which rciterutcs the
charges of corruption brought against the
Senator by the Kansas Legislature. and re-
quests an opportunity OF presenting evil
dcucc in the possession Of the writer Mr.
CLARK says that wcl-known aud response
bic citizens Of Kansas, who were not be-
fore the committee of the Kansas Lcgisla-
turc, have informed him personally that
they know Of the payment of large sums
OF money 10y CALDWELL e. members of the
Legislature for votes; aud that they are
desirous OF being summoned by the Senate
committee 10 testify TO the facts. Mr.
CLARK earnestly presses for II fun and fair
investigation into the charges which so Sc
riously affect the integrity OF the Senate
rs well rs the honor of his state; but a. the
truth. II il should become known IN all its
shameful details, might unfavorably in
Auencc GRANTS prospects of reelection,
IL Is not likely that his petition Will be
gIuntcd.
The other Senator from kansas l. a man
of sleek presence ana plau-blo manner
lie PROPOSES 90 be moved mainly by grace
and is ardent in his expires ions of devotion
to morality and godiness. His ncghbors
however, do not give him credit for SINGER
ity in this assumption. On the contrary,
one of them, the Hon. MARCUsJ. PARRoTT
Z. Al. ..g.
publioahs OF Kansas, and man regarded
with universal respect by his fellow citi-
zons-in n recent speech at Leavenworth
described senator POMERoY as "the great
est political proiligatc of this age and coun-
try, and II, unctuous with the slime of a
hundred jobs, His course in the Senate
long since gained for him the nickname of
"Old Subsidy and common rumor as
cribcs 10 him the possession Of wealth de-
rived through his official acts in the senate.
He has also been openly charged with hay-
ing pen,ionod women on the public service
for reasons of u disgracoful character. 1t
would have been impossible for a Senator
10 have continued in Office for week un-
der any other Administration with such
charges unexplained as have been brought
against this man. But Senator PoMEROY is
an ardent GRANT man, and that is consid-
cred sufficient TO atone for ali moral delin-
quCncics.
MI CLAYTON of Arkansas is another
member Of the senate against whom the
most damniug accusations have been
brought. But they have been quietly
hushcd up, ana bid fair to remain hidden
In the ob>curity Of Il committee room, 80
ns is
GHANT's successors chosen. The report Of
the Ku-KluX Commit,, afforded sufficient
evidence of the criminal career Of this
man TO have amply justified the Senate in
Kidding itself of the ignominy of hs
presence. The action of the House OF
Representatives in expclling EDWARDS,
who had been fraudulently returned TO a
seat in that body by CLAYTON when lie
was Governor Of Arkansas, il was sup
posed would have spurrcd the Senate 10
action in defence of its own honor But
the Arkansas senator is devoted to the iu-
tcrests Of GRAET, who has assisted him to
eyadc justice when indicted i'm the courts,
aud he is expected to carry that state for
his patron in November next So he too
is permitted to occupy IA chair in the high
ost legislative body In the land, und have
voice IN the enactment of laws which re-
spectacle peopleme to obey.
That body which once conlnuudrd The
general respect should consent to admit
aud retain men like these without an cfoIt
20 relieve itself Of their presence, seems
almost incredible. Such a fact ouly
affords another evidence of tho de-
mOraliZing influence OF an Administration
conducted in the personal interest Of an