, 1873-02-03


mcmbcr was present, but, won tho voto waa
takon for eenator, tlroo Democratic members
votod for Simon Cameron, who, receiving also
tho voto Of tho Republican Senators, waa
elected. 1t did not require long to discover how
this thing was dono. Cameron, 1t was understood,
pdd for thon. Tlloro was hardly any deninl, OH
tho ono hand Of tho purchase, and much losB
Of tho aalo OIL tho othor. Whom tho Bonato mot
In epecial soBson, after 11aroh 1, 1867, Cam
oron appeared and took lis scat. renlonstranco
was illod, Bfgnol by a largo number Of tho Dom
ocratic members of tho Legislature, alleging tho
facts Of tho bribery, and asking m investigation.
It was roforrol to tho Judiciary Committee, Of
which Judge Butler, of South Carolina, was
Chairman. Tint Committee reported that tho
allegations woro too vague md indefinite, with
out proof, for tho Committee to act upon,-or to
recommend M Investigation, land up with
declaration that when any members Of State
Legislature wore bribet, 1t WAS tho duty Of the
Legislature to Investigate tho fact, and oxpol tho
guilty mombere, mud, hnving done 80, to certify
tho facts to tho Senate.
This Inst suggestion was mado upon tho as
sumption that tho Legislatures of tho States
could nevor bo degraded to such an oxtont that
moro party auccoae as the rcault Of bril-
bory would overcome all sonso of Bllame
and indignation. 1t Was truo TINT tho
Legislature Of Pennsylvania rofusod to invcs-
tignte tho bribery Of tho Democrats who voted for
sin1nn Cameron to havo dono would haro
resulted inv having hia election Bot aside ;
whether any Of tho Republicans wero in his pay
is not known; but "party auccosB " was accept
ed by tho Republicans, who, with tho bribod
membors, Woro majority, as sufficient salye
for the wounded horror and good name Of q
Pennsylvania Legislature. Tho Senate adj
1ourned a few days aftor, and did not moot until
December following, and, in tho meantime, tho
Legislature had dissolved, and there tho matter
roBted.
It will DO soon that tho precedent In Simon
Oamoron's caBo Is NOW rolled upon by Patterson,
as afrording him tho means Of escape from his
| open and notorious purchase Of tho major-
ity Of both branches Of tile South Car-
| Vows Of tho Sonata Committee woro
strongly disputed, and, Ind the charges against
Cameron boon mado in my definite form, by any
responsible person, with tender of proof, 1t is
possible the Senate would hayo Investigated.
Since that time, however, tho presumption that
State Legislatures cannot DO bribet has faded
away. Their corruptibility is too notorious tt
be any longer denied, and, whom tho allegation
shall be made BY any responsible person that {
Senator has been corruptly elected, the Senate
cannot non afford to pass It over with contempt
or silence. We know Of no event 60 calculated
to destroy all confidence in tho Senate as a 70
fusa1 by that body to punish promptly, by OK
pulsion, every man whoHe election can be traced
directly or Indirectly, to tho use Of money. Th
action Of the Senate in tho cago OF Caldwell
Patterson, and Jonos, will bo an advertisement
to the whole country whether bribery aud cor
ruptlon in the election Of Senators is to b
stopped, or is to become the general rule in th
future.