The sun., 1873-02-15
What are You Going to DO Abou, 1t,

Brand Opera House. from y A. NJ. to s.3OP.M
What are You Going to DO About IT.
Reports and rum6rs from Washington
are 10 the effect that there is not perfect
harmony in the POLAND committee as to
what ought to be done with those Repre-
pentatives who have been clearly proven
10 have received Credit Mobilier shares
and dividends, and then lied about IL in
the newspapers during the Presidential
campaign, and afterward before the conf
mttee. Public opinion demands expul-
mon. Nothing short of this will satisfy the
deliberate judgment of the great majority
OF the American people.
But the implicated members in the House.
With the exception of Mr.. Brooks, have
been for many years shining lights in the
Republican party, and they now hold fore
most positions on the leading committees.
FOR example, md passing over all the
doubtful cases, GARFIELD Is at the head of
the Committee on Appropriations, BINd-
HAM Is Chairman of the Judiciary, KELLEY
and BRooKs stand high on the Ways and
Means, and SO on. As to AMEs, he Is second
on the Committee on Manufactures in
compliment to his shovel-making avoca-
tion, and second on Railways and Canals
rs a sort of delicate recognition OF his SER
vices in placing stocks and bonds where
they would do the most good.
TO expel these half dozen gentlemen
would make serious inroad into the ranks
Of hrst-elass ability in the House; and so
II is said that Republican circles at
Washington favor toe adoption of reso-
buttons declaring their acts In accepting
hMEs's stocks and bonds as unwise and inn
prudent, and subjecting them Ia the CEN
sure of the House; and perhaps further
providing that they shall rise in their re-
spective places aud be rebuked-mildly
Of course-by Mr.. Speaker BLATsE!
AS to the implicated Senators, their cases
have been turned over 10 the Senate by
the POLAND committee and the body
wherein CoLFAx presides, and whereof
PATTERSON. and PoMERoY, and CLAYTON,
md CALDWELL. and NYE, and HARLAN,
nnd LOGAN are now conspicuous members,
and of which ALLISON, and JONES, and
PINCHBAcK, and that other PATTERSON
Eoon expect TO be, has appointed a com
mittee of its own TO decide what shall be
done with them.
This Senate committee has held one or
two meetings at which they treated their
unfortunate brethren with the tenderest
consideration, and even hesitated over the
question whether Senators who had been
caught in taking bribcs ought TO be re-
quired in giving exculpatory testimony TO
take an oath like common people, and
might not be allowed TO make statements
upon "their honor"
Honor among such thieves! We see no
indications yet Of that fearless line Of con-
duet by the Senate committee which the
emergency imperatively requires them to
pursue.
Do Representatives and Senators imagine
that the people will be satisfied II the grave
offences proven against leading members
of the two Houses bring down upon the
heads OF tho culprits no weighter punish
ment than would fall from the lips of
JAMES @. BLAINE and SCHUYLER CoLFAx
We warn them that Congress cannot afford
to thus sur over this serious matter. II
win plunge both Houses into such general
contempt that a seat in the national legis-
lature will soon be disgrace to any man
who consents to hold II. Though honest
hihs'li, nv Niii pt itEuihNu uS tllt NlllluH
associate Of bribe takers, bribe givers, and
corruptionists, some of whom resorted to
perjury and subornation of perjury to
cover their rascalities. Nothing short OF
expulsion will rise TO the level OF the
emergency.
As to CoLFAx, not being member of the
Senate he cannot be expelled. The House
must deal with him by way OF impeach-
ment, and the Grand Jury of Washington
by indictment. Will the POLAND commit
tee shrink from acting upon so fragrant a
case as the Vice-President's?
The Republicans have an overwhelming
majority in each House of Congress. Upon
them rests the duty Of dealing with dis
tinguished men III their party who have
betrayed official trusts, violated the laws,
and offended against public morals. II in
such an eXigency the Republican party
can afford to shield its offending members
from mcrtcd punishment, its opponents
can aiford to have II.
Let the Republicans take the responsl.
bility and abide the consequences!