The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-02-06
afhrrlina Gcaistw.
THE DOWNFALL OF POMEROY.
History OF the Movement which
Ruined Him-DrAmatic Scene At
ia Triumph

The journals OF the Northwest con-
tain very full accounts of the dramatic
scenes in the Kansas Legislature wher
Senator Pomeroy was exposed and de-
fested. The following extracts from {
letter to the st. Louis Republican, dated
Topeka, January %. gives graphic
picture Of the transaction, together
with an interesting history OF the plot
which brought about the exposure
sETTING THE TRAP.
As early as Thursday Of last week ii
became evident that there was but one
possible method OF beating Pomeroy,
and that was to set trap for HIM
whereby he should be induced to bribe
one OF the opposition who could be de-
pended on to expoee him. At coun-
Gil OF war, held shortly afterward by the
opposition, it was decided that Colonel
A. NJ. York, Senator from Montgomery
county, was the man most available Tor
this purpose A gentleman, whose con-
nectiou with several Eastern railway
com panies interested in Pomeroys re-
election, gave him the old mans conf
dence, was brought up from Kansas
City to begin the negotiations. Alter
some skirmishing aud sparrlng
an interview between York and
Pomeroy was brought about, at
which there was some talk
about money, and finally sort Of un-
derstanding was arrived at. Pomeroy
then began to shuttle, as he always
does, and tried to work it with York
through third parties. York. however,
refused to negotiate with the third par
ties at all, and insisted on doing the
business exclusively with the Senator
himself, sverring that the old Senator
was q nice man to do business with,
asd be wanted full, fair. and personal
understanding in the matter. At Last
Pomeroy suspended the bylaws OF hls
caution and his piety, and entered
squrely into negotiations with York.
The latter was none Of your ten cent
fellows. He told Pomeroy that his con-
s,ituents had three etened to hang him If
he voted for the old man, and 30 it
would be necessary for him to sell
out for enough 10 insure his
neck. He further stated that it
h. voted for Pomeroy he should
never dare to live in Montgomery
county again, and he must cell out for
enoug b to enable him to remove to some
other locality, and to indemnify him
against any sacrifice of property ne
might have to make in dispoaing of his
effects in Montgomery. This recital
narrowed up the old mans bowels Of
Christian compassion, and he offered
York about $4,000. This York felt
obliged to decline. The case was one
OF desperation with him, and he must
have at least $4,000. Atthis old Pome
roy made a good many wry faces, but
6nally effected a compromise on this
basis, to wit: $1,000 down, $1,000 within
forty-eight hours, and the other $1,000
after he was elected. Well, York took
his $4,000 and attended the Pomeroy
caucus, where he made the speech Of
proselyte, and was among the humblest
OF the late and contrite converts The
next day he went and got his $4,000,
which he quietly put in his pocket
along with the other $1,000. and having
Pomeroy's promise to pay an additional
$1,000 after he was elected. That last
$1,000 York will probably lose
Things went on lovely till after
Tuesdays separate ballots, and the mis-
chief began to bubble up to the sur
face. On Tuesday night the anti
Pomeroy people held a caucus, at
which q concentration was effected
upon Mr.. Ingalls,, with a pledged
strength Of sixty-tSo. When the
House and Senate went into joint BAL
lot to-day there Was no man in the en-
tire hall whose face had in it so much
Of the lurking devilment OF conspiracy
as glittered in York eves and baltfully
lit up his pale face. 1t was not long
after the assembling OF the joint con-
vention before the presiding officer
raped order with his gsvel and an
nounced that the Legislature Of Kan
sas, in joint convention, would now
proceed to ballot for United States
Senator for the full term, beginning
March 4, 1873.
THE EXPOSURE.
There was a deadhush then "a Sena-
tor York, Of Montgomery. arose. and
claimed the floor on a question OF priv =
ilege, which was granted him. lie
drew from his pocket an envelope. con-
tanning $1,000 in current funds, walked
down the aisle and laid it in front OF
the Speaker. with the request that he
count the money. There was little
buzz OF surprise, and then hush OF
strained expectancy, as the Speaker
turned over the crisp notes. aud York
walked back to his seat. Gentlemen,
said York, Il have an explanation to
make to this body upon my vote for
Senator. shall vote for Samuel c. Pom.
eroy for the best reason In the world, and
that reason is now on the desk
OF your presiding officer" There were
q good many pale and scared faces in
that hall then. He then went on and
detailed the circumstances Of his
bribery. As he proceeded the excite
'nent became intense, and, finally,
~heneyef the name OF Pomeroy was
mentioned there would be q storm Of
Indignation. 1t vas revolution.
York caught it's fervor in the fine fibres
of his nervous organism, and became
inspired He said: 81 knew | an q
,disgraced man; l have wilfully and o.
my malice aforethought betrayed a
srust reposed in me by fellow man. |
did it with eyes vide open, and mind
fall OF comprehension of the conse-
quences; but did it because I thought
il was q sacrifice required
OF me to save my State from sink
ing uill deeper into the quicksands