, 1873-01-15
THE CALDWELL INVESTIGATION,

Tho Caldwell bribery investigation now pend
ing before the Senate Committee on Privileges
a1ld Elections, brings up afreHh tho report Of
tho Joint Committee OF tho Knnsas Legislature
mndo about q year ago Oh tho subject of tho
corrupt PRACTICES Intending tho election Of 81r.
Caldwell to tho Sonata in 1871, and upon Which
tho present Senatorial Investigation is
based. Tho allegations OF corruption
1nado In that report are fully substautiatod
by the evidence already taken. Tho only difror~
onco between them Ia that tho evidence glvos us
tho details OF specific acts which wcro stated
generally In The Legislative Report. Tho Re-
port stated the broad fact that at tho election
both Of Pomeroy and Caldwell o large suna OF
money WAS used and attempted to DO used In
brbing mombers Of tho Legislature to yoto
for them. With reference to Caldwell,
who is alono directly affected by tho ponding in-
yestjgation, tho Legislative Report alleged sub-
stantially that Mr.. Caldwell, in tho canvass, Ind,
among other friends, Lon T. Smith, James l..
Mcdowell, and Thomas Carney, that Caldwell
promised Mcdowell tho 1eavonworth Post
Office, thon hold by soldiers widow; TINT
Smith gayo Carney check for $1,000 two days
before tho oleotion, aud that O draft Of $40, 600
On tho Kansas Pacino Railway Company #as
oashod about the samo timo. Tho report
further alleged that Caldwell claimed the Com
pany promised to give him $4,000 as Its share
towards tho oxponBes OF his election, as
bonus for his influence as Senator,
Af,rt T.1
for this money, and, after considerable trouble,
obtained 1T, and expended 1t on tile Legislature;
that Smith alone puld out s2o, 900 to members OF
the Legislature, upon the promise that 1t should
be refunded to him by Caldwell; that Caldwell
promised Federal appointments, right aud loft,
and aftor his election, declared that it had cost
him 1000; and that ho offered to pay Olark's
oxpouaes, in case Clark would Withdraw. Upon
this general showing, tho Legislative Committee
framod it's indictment, declaring that "Alexan-
dor Caldwell used bribery and other corrupt
and criminal means, by himself and Ills friends,
with his full knowledge and consent, to secure
Ills election In 1871 to tho United stateB Senate
This report waa submitted last February, and,
meanwhile, nearly year has elapsed before the
accused party IL brought to trial. The tlmo las
been improved by Caldwell and his friends III
ataying OF its presentation to tho Senate, and
consequent action upon 1t, and trying to blunt its
force by every artitlce known to corrupt politi-
claus; but Justice, although it haa operated
very slowly, ia mono tho less complete, and tho
truth OF aho revelations made by the
Legislative Committee has been conf
pletely yindicatea already. The gen.
oral allegations Of corruption made in
tint Report arc given In dotail In tho evidence
before the Senatorial Committee. We aro now
informed not only tint gross sum Of money
was expended upon the Legislature to socuro
Caldwoll'a election, but wo learn also how much
WAS given to each member, who got tho money,
and this, with 30 much deAnitoness, that II il
not difficult to establisll regular market prico
Of tho cost Of f.monbors Of the Kansas Logala-
turo, whom Senatorial election Ia up for sale.
Tho tostlmony Of Judge spriggs, formerly State
Treasurer Of Kansas, shovs that the
prices Of members ranged all lilo way
from $500 to $4,000, according to
their respective dogrco OF cupidlty Some mon
sold their votos for moro meas Of pottago, but
the moAt OF them would acorn to deliver their
votes for less than 81, 900 por capita. Sometimes
q metnbor vnnt1 aRIf thu o,,tadn prkna Of AZ nG1