The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-02-11
The Trap That Caught Pomeroy.
Now 1T WAS ARRANGED-MR. YoRR's
SPEECH

The correspondent of the st. Louis
Republican graphically depicts the scenes
and incidents Of Pomeroy's defeat and
exposure. Writing under date of Tope-
ka, Kansas, January 20, he says
AS early as Thursday of last week it
became evident that there was but one
possible method of beating Pomeroy, and
that was to set a trap for him, whereby
he should be induced to bribe one of the
opposition who could be depended on to
expose him.
At council of war held shortly after
ward by the opposition, it was decided
that Colonel A. NJ. York, Senator from
Montgomery county, was the man most
available for this purpose. A gentleman
who's connection with several Eastern
railway companies interested in Pomcroy's
reelection gave him the old mans conf
dence, was brought up from Kansas City
to begin the negotiations. After some
diminishing and sparring an interview
between York and Pomeroy was brought
about,at which there was some talk about
money, and finally sort of understand
ing was arrived at.
Pomeroy than began to shuttle, as he
always does, and tried TO work it with
Y ork through third party York how
ever, refused to negotiate with the third
parties at all, and insisted on doing
business exclusively with the Senator
himself, averring that the old Senator
uas nion man ~ do r,e;,o.o ,-;.l -
he wanted full, fair and pers onal under
standing in the matter.
AT last Pomeroy supended the bylaws
OF his caution and piety and entered into
negotiations with York The latter was
none Of your ten cent fellows. lie told
Pomcroy that his constituents had threat
cned to hang him ifhc voted for the old
man, and so it would he necessary for him
to sell out for enough to insure his neck.
This case was ono Of desperation with
him, and he must have at least $4,000.
At this old Pomeroy made good MANI
wry faces, but finally effected comprom.
ise on this basis--to wit, $4,000 down
$4,000 within forty. eight hours, and the
other S 900 after he was elected. Well
York took his $4,000 and attended the
Pomeroy caucus, where he made the
speech OF nroselytc, and was among the
humblest Of the late contritc converts.
The next day he went and got his S.
600, which he quietly put in his pocket
along with the other $4,000, and having
Pomeroy's promise TO pay an additional
1000 after he was elected That last
81, 900 York will probably lose.
There was a dead hush then as Senator
Iork.of Montgomery. arose and claimed
the floor on question of privilege which
was -c,utci him, He drew from his
pock-i az Envelope containing $1,000 in
current funds. walked down the aisle and
laid il 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 Speak
er turned over the crisp notes, and York
walked back to his seat. "Gentlemcn."
said York, 81 have an explanation to
make to this body upon my vote for SEN
ator. | shall vote for Samuel G. Pomer
oy for the best reason in the world. and
tnat reason is now on the desk of your
presiding officer" There was 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 excitement became
intense, and finely when the name of
Pomeroy was mentioned there would be
storm Of Indignation. 1t was a revolu-
ton. York caught its fervor in the fine
fibers Of his nervous organism and again
inspired. lie said 81 know l am dis
graced man. have willfuly and of my
malice aiorethought betrayed trust re-
posed in me by fellow man. | did it
with my eyes wide open and a mind full
of comprehension of the consequences
but | did it because thought it was
sacrifice required of me to save my State
from sinking still deeper into the quick
sands of corruption in which her once fair
fame is already almost swallowed up. |
stand before you pledged to vote for Sam,
uel c. Pomeroy in consideration of ST.
900 to me in hand paid in current funds,
and promise Of $1,000, payable upon
contingency. | ask you, must l redeem
that pledge? (Cries of "No, no :"
"Damn Pomeroy and his money! | ask
you if am in your minds a disgraced
man? (Cries Of mo, no." You did
right y ask you if the end does not
justify the means? (Cries of "Yes, yes,
and loud cheers
ask, Mr.. President, that the money
be used to defray the expenses of prose
cutting the investigation of S, c. Pome-
roy, for bribery and corruption, as my
limited influence extends in deed as well
as in thought. | have an aged parent
whose life has been spared to bless me
with her love and her approval of the
conduct of my life. | have a wife and
little ones to whom hope to bequeath
name which, however obscure, they
may have no reason to blush to hear
pronounced. Yet this corrupt old man
comes to me and makes bargain for
my soul, and makes me proposition
which. if accepted in the faith and spirit
in which it is offered, will make my
children go through life with hung heads
and burning cheeks at even mention Of
the name of him who begot them. Earth
has no infamy more damnable than cor
ruption no criminal more to be execrat-
ed than he who corrupts the represen-
tatives of the people in furtherance OF
private interests. | demand, Mr. Presi-
dent and gentlemen, that the actions of
s. c. Pomeroy in this contest be thor.
oughly examined and that the corrup-
ton money that lies upon the table be
the instrument of retribution in prose-
cutting that investigation.
THE AMERICAN HOMES For January is
the third number of the third volume of
that bright and charming family maya
zine, whose stories and illustrations are
-. la.laI Il 1....u.. ell. an