Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-03-27
The Speedy Trial of Accused Sena'
tors and Accused MuFdeTeFS,

Under the above caption the New York Herald
OF the goth, contains long srtiole which classes
corrupt United State Senators with the wicked
murdeTers whose crimes have caused the people in
every part of the country to demand the most rig
i'd enforcement of the full penalty which the laws
provide. That paper is Republican in its views,
but evidently sees the necessity of a change in the
Senate, which can only he had, we believe, by the
election Of Democratic Statesmen. The Heyald
Gays
"The need Of speedy trials is the great want Of
the country at this tune Ii is felt alike in fhe
criminal courts Of New York and in the Senate Of
the United States The TomLs and the Senate
house are both full Of accused persons In the
one case the accused men are charged with muir
der, in the ether bribery and corruption are the
alleged offences. The one crime Is scarcely less
EeniOuk than the other; each is SO destructive in
sts effects upon public and private morals not 10
require the speedy trial ana punishment of Offend
err. LaXIty IN bringing the guilty TO Justice is at
the bottom OF the prevalence OF crime. Murder
eTs are lnclted TO commit murder by the belief that
Hanging is played OUT politicians are incited TO
purchase their way 10 high public trusts and 10
sell themselves again when they have obtained
high places by the belief that bribery and corrup.
tion will not be punished. II host of criminals
had not escaped, one after the other, the Tombs
would not now he full Of murderers. II the Sen
ators who first bought their way into that body
had been speedily punished q majority OF the Sen
ate would now stand before the country as uncop-
yicted culprts. 1t makes little difference wheth-
CT the jury fails to convict Seannell OF the Senate
TO exPel Harlan or Pomeroy IN either case il Is an
lheltsment TO fresh crimes gives birth TO fresh
scandals. Had this man been convicted had
these men been expelled, there would be a heal.
thleT moral tone among the community TODAY.
and less reason 10 demand the speedy trial OF ac-
cussd Senators and murderers"
Let Us glance Tor moment st the Senate Day
after day it sits in secret session in Wash
lngton judging of The moral fitness Of men for
public position. When ats doors are open il
spends its time discussing the delinq uencies ana
crimes OF its own members An august body
sueh as the United States Senate was LONG re- :
gaTded, thus engaged, is a fearful satire upon re-
publican government 1t is pltiful sight al best
but 1t can only be removed from before our owes
by boldly facing it. We want no m5re white-
Eashing, as in the case of Pomeroy; no more de-
lay that the guilty may escape, as in the case OF
Caldwell. Every Senator who is accused Of bav-
ing obtained his seat by bribery must be tried at
once, and if be is guilty he ought to be punished
Resignation Is no condonemeut for his offence
Expulsion and lgnominy are not sufficient Every
honest man IN the country knows that Caldwell
should he in the Penitenhary. If he had been
properly punished his former colleague would not
now think It possible that he could return 70 take
CaldWens place nor would the guilty men still
remaining IN the Senate be so confident of hold
ing their places. Many of them went to Wash
ington On the 4th Of March with solid reputa
tons, and followed by rumOrs OF political cOrrup-
tlon and forthcoming exposure. Mr.. Bogy, of
Missouri, who Is probably not guilty, has already
asked for an investigation. MF. Patterson OF
South Carolina, has not yet demanded an inquiry,
but is sadly in need of one. Other Senators are
IN . like situation with HIM. All who are accused
must be tried and the guilty punished, and the
sooner 1t Is done the better for the country.