The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-01-23
SENATORIAL BRlBERY.

The following from the chicago l04 Ol
the 18th inst, shows how the leading &C.
ministration journals view the Caldwell
case
We regard the inquiry now going on al
Washington into the alleged bribery Of the
Legislature Of Kansas, whereby Mr.. CAld-
we'll was fraudulently elected . member Of
the senate, rs one of the most encouraging
and hopeful times. There are few people
not familiar with iDeide public life, Who
have any knowledge of the depth of corrup
ton which 10 reached in nearly every con-
tested Senatorial election nova days trsns-
pi,ing. Formerly the extent to which the
bribery of members was carried, consisted in
q bargain for . petty Federal Office, or the
p,omire of political influence and help in the
attainment of q coveted ambition. Nov,
however, the open offer and acceptance Of
money are common incidents of the Senate
rial contest.
The machinery BY which holly contested
Senatorial canvass is now conducted u Q
mysterious and wonderful creation. The or
ganizsiion of the cam;laign y perfected with
q, close a regard TO diabolieal science - 4
political intrigue in the days of Richelieu.
Long before the session Of the legislature,
spies are cent Out to the towns and homes OF
members, and every detail Of their habits,
charac;eristic-. temper, ambition, and weak
nesses iotted down and recorded for future
operations. II the Legislator to be wrought
upon il . Temperance man or q religious
zsalot, he il approached ~ an apparent
apostle Of Christ, and casually informed that
such candidate for Senator Is dunka ard
and q knave, and direct evidences Of this
Ca -hsoh IN, kA \
with proof a strong as holy writ. Equally
lite and character Of the opposing candidate,
by whom the lying hypocriie who retails
these ins;dious lies n paid. On the other
hand, if the legislator 10 Be wrought upon
Is himself given to jollity, and of q liberal
turn Of mind, the opposite tactics are
employed, and the Senator to be cried
down is shown to be . narrow Puritan
and hypocritical preteoder. Or i the
member ambitious for an Office, il i directly
promised him; or does the investigation into
his life and character warrant the prssump-
ton that be will accept ii, be i lorshvith
rendered money bribe Such srsbut limit
ed hints of the resorts Of competing aspiranfs
in majority of States where close contesis
are held over tie Senatorial peise. The
weakness of human nature arc sought ont
and played upon ~ harpise plays upon
the axinsp Of his Instrument. Worth, ex.
PEI. esce, public service. learning. states-
manship-an these 20 for nothing in Q con
test like this. 'Ti money makes The man
bribazy and manipulaiioa ths 6slaAsr.
The result Of all this = b h0eatably
deprec;ate the standard Il 0osalily and
ability in the Senate. The esatrihui3oas 10
aaiesnanship frsn many q IL bocdr 0saio
are getting to be simple ftoatisr ssa6aaa.
Who have listls 10 co@need thsa heyoad
their reckIsnnsD I'D ao1aci,y. hi IL
Caldwell investigates, asd thoss vAieh ~
f.rv.nsly hops win ieilov i vhssevw ooca-
sioa o6ers, viii a1ocd 70 anhiEis,s ftssbsee-
en- On tie becdef. Or nors aesnopdAsd
villians IN the insesios, - inklisg q II
rstributioa that viii follow ~ eml1plio0'
b. which aloas thsy ca saepssa . koaas
tor vhicA they ere % noe fnod thaa ~
Carisiopher Sly % Be kiaG.