New-York tribune., 1873-02-18
SENATOR CALDwELLS FATE.
THE COMMITTEE FIND HIM NOT LEGALLY
ELECTED.

RUGGED-A THOROUGHLY CORRUPT" CAN
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl
WASHINGTON. Feb 17.-The following is the full
report of the Committee on Privileges and Elections
in regard to the election of Alexander Caldwell in
1871 to the Senate of the United States:
THE REPORT
On the lth day OF May, 1874 the Senate adopted the
following resolution:
Ressred That the Committee On Privileges and Elec-
tiOns authorized investigate the election Of Senator
s c. Pomeroy by tbeLegislature OF Kansas IN 1901 ana
the election OF Senator Alexander Caldwell In 1871 that
peTs: that Inc Chairinan or acting Chairman OF ead
Committee, any subcommittee thereof, lhaVe power
to Washington elsewhere during the session
OF Congress and in vasation.
In obedience this resolution the Committee on Priv
eges and Elections have had under consideration the
election of Alexander Caldwell to the Senate Of the
United states in January. ls7l have taken testimony,
and beg leave TO submit the following report:
CARNEY $i5,OOO BARGAIN.
u Is testified by Mt Lem T. Smith. former business
partner OF Mr. Caldwell his active friend at the time OF
his election. during this investigation that he made an
agreement with Thomas Carney Of Leavenworth by
which, in consideration that Mr. Carney should not be
candidate for United States Senator before the Legsa
ture Of Kansas should give his influence and sup
port for Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Caldwell should pay him the
sum Of $1,000 for which amount notes were given and
afterward paid at the time taking from Mr.. Car
in the most solemn manner not 30 be candidate for the
Office of Senator in the approaching election. This In
sirument is in the words following:
hereby agree that VIII not under any condition OF
circumstances be candidate ior the unltea states zen
Caldwell and in case do to forfeit my word OF honor
this agreement. THOMAS CARNEY.
Topeka, Jan. l3, 1871.
Mr SMITHS testimony Is fully corroborated by that OF
Mr Carney who admits the execution OF the paper, the
making Of the the taking Of the notes, and
the subsequent receipt Of the money The notes for the
money signed Wy Mr. Smith, Shut paid by Mr. Cald
well. and OF them for 5000 made contingent
upon Mr Caldwelrs election The substance OF the
whole agreement only part OF which expressed in
the writing, was that Mr Carney should not be cand
date for against Mr. Caldwell, that he should
use his influence ilr. Caldwell 10 Topeka, meet
the Legislature and do all he could to secure his election
A CORRUPT ALLIANCE CONDEMNED.
The frst,lueson to considered is, the arrange
mcn corrupt; it the OF corrupt means on the
part Of Mr. CalA%eI TO procure his election. The Com
ittec are Of opinion that corrupt. was against
public policy, demorazing in its character, directly
contributed destroy the purity and freedom OF cleo
tiou and not tolerated by the Senate OF the United
States as a means procuring scat in that body To
understand the full nature Of the transaction, " must
consider the character and position OF Mr. Carney He
had been a Governor of Kansas. He had once been
elected OF the United States by the Legislature
OF that state but the election was premature, being at
the wrong session He had been candidate for the Senate
at another time aud lad come within ten votes OF
being elected Iie was wenOw throughout the State,
had large body OF active friends many OF whom were
warmly devoted to his political fortunes His being
candidate would greatly endaDger the success OF Mr.
Caldwell II not certain result in his defeat He was
from the same city with Mr.. Caldwell, and his candidacy
would be the dangerous on that account. When
Mr. Caldwell agreed TO give him $4,000 under the agree
ment IL was an attempt purchase the votes OF the
friends OF Mr. Carney He doubtless expected that Mr.
Carney through his influence his friends could bring
them over his support They would naturally become
friends to the man with whom Mr. Carney friendly
1t was, at least tact part of this arrangement that
Mr. Carney should conceal tho mercenary part OF the
transaction and place his withdrawal from the
and his support OF Mr. Caldwell upon personal and pO
Htical considerations that honorable TO himself
and would TO his friends, and this he did
Mr. Carney went to Topeka before the Senatorial cleo
fon and remained until 10 working in
dustriousy Mr. Caldwell, and exertng all his per-
sOnal and political influence TO secure his election
Looking at the transaction In its real character, 1t
sale upon part of Mr Carney Of the votes Of his per
sOnal and political friends In the Legislature, TO
be delivered by him TO Mr.. Caldwell far
possible If it legitimate for Mr. Caldwell TO buy
of Mr. Carney as candidate, equally legitimate
90 buy all the other candidates and have the field al
to himself by which he would exert quasi coercion
upon the members Of the Legislature to vote for him.
having other candidate to vote for. IL attempt
TO buy Of members of the Legislature, not by
brbing them directly but through the manipulations
Of another. The purchase money not to go
20 them to Mr. Carney, who to sell and deliver
them without their knowledge That Mr.. Caldwell did
procure the Of members OF the Legislature friends
ofMr Carney, ignorant of the fact that Mr. Carney
was making merchandise Of his political character and
influence Of their friendship for him. for which he
was TO receive o large sum OF money, the evidence
leaves no reasonable doubt Buying off opposing
candidates, and IN that way securing the votes
of all the most Of their friends s in effect buying the
office. It recognizes candidacy for Office merchant
able commodity thing having a money value, and is
destructive the purity and freedom Of elections as
the direct bribery Of members Of the Legislature can
ddate for the Senate without strength merit may, by
purchasing the influence and support Of all part Of
bis competitors and Withdrawing them from the
vas succeed election, thus not only committing
fraud upon the friends Of the candidates who pur
chased off, but greater fraud upon the people of the
State who may be thus saddled with representative IN
the Senate Of the United about whom they know
little. for whom they care nothing ana who possesses
little ability TO represent their interests
INTRICAcIEs OF LEGISLATIVE BRIBERY.
Mr. Smith, the friend OF Mr.. Caldwell, testdes that he
paid Mr. Carney the further OF $1,000 while at To
peka ana Just before Senatorial election, to meet
Mr. Carneys alleged expenses while there and through
fear that Mr.. Carney would, after all, withdraw from
the arrangement and become a candidate. Upon the
check for this the money drawn from the bank
at Topeka 10 the evening by one T. j. Anderson, who
testified that he gave it to Mr. Carney, and that he
ignorant Of the consideration for which it paid
Other testimony impeaches that Of Mr. Anderson, and
raises strong presumption THAI he engaged in the
purchase Of votes for Mr Caldwell and for which this
81 900 was used and that for his services he afterward
received the sum Of $500 from Mr.. Cald-
well. Mr. Carney swears positively that he did
not receive this any part Of it, buthe indorsed
the check at the request OF Mr. Smith, 10 enable him to
procure money from the bank; that the money
70 be used in procuring votes for Mr. Caldwell and that