New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-06
very Like q Conspiracy.

On the day fixed by law for electing sue
cessor to Mr.. Pomeroy in the United States
Senate from Kansas, and after the two
branches of the State Legislature had as
sembled in Joint convention for that purpose,
State Senator named Yorke arose and made
the statement that Senator Pomeroy had
offered him bride of $4,000 for his influence
aud vote. In confirmation Of the charge he
sent to the Presidents desk the sum OF
$4,000 which he claimed to have received
from Pomeroy as the first installment OF the
bride. OF course, the statement produced
great excitement, and while at its height and
under its influence the convention proceeded
to IN election. The result was that Mr..
pomeroy, though he went into the conven-
ton with majority of the members in his
favor, or at any rate, with so much strength
as to leave no doubt of his election, he did
NOT ,sceies a single cote ! His friends, to 4
man, transferred their votes to a Mr.. ingalls,,
the caucus candidate Of his opponents and
personal enemies. Mr.. Pomeroy was imme-
dlately arrested and put under $40, 900 bond
for his appearance in June to answer the
charge of bribery and corruption.
All this looks exceedingly bad to people at
Il distance. and places Mr.. Pomeroym a most
uu3nyiablc position unless the matter Is
cleare, up, If it can be, and during his life if
not. 1t is due to Mr.. P0mer0y to say that
he Indignantly denies the whole charge, and
declares his readiness to meet and his ability
TO disproye il. And we are free to admit
that il has the appearance oi'' put up job. y
Our reasons for thinking il II conspiracy are
the high character for integrity, intelligence,
and common sense he has sustained during his
seat in the Senate, aud the admission made the
day before the election by his enemies that just
such conspiracy would be attempted as the
only means by which his reelection could be
prevented. The most significant Of these
admissions is by tho Topeka correspondent
of the St. Louis Republican, Il bitter Copper
head paper. In letter written at Topeka
the day before the election was to come oil
this correspondent wrote 10 the Rspnhtcan
and, after canvassing Mr.. Pomeroy's chances
and expressing his conviction that they were
greatly in his favor, makes the prophetic an
nouncement that it looks as though POmeroy
would have to buy about eight out Of the
seventeen votes necessary to elect him. His
opponents ere engaged i" laying trap 20 catch
him, ,cAich may prors success nl-thdt IS, 10 get
him 10 h,ije some ons IF H'sm i"ho uW after
,ra.E turn Stats crii,nc|.
Here the whole conspiracy i, ioret"ld III,
before the trap" was sprung with SO much
success. No one who has observed the
shrewdncss and common sense which have
characterized him in the Senate can think
for Il moment that Pomeroy could be guilty
Of an act of such consummate folly, whatever
may be thought Of his honesty. TO have
offered the bride to \ Orke, rs he charged, at
Il time when so much scandal exists in regard
to the alleged bribery Of the Legislature by
his colleague, would indicate that he is little
short of an idiot. Yet the charge may be true,
though we shall not believe it till proved be-
yond all cayil. And if it be not proved, we
shall watch with interest the course his sue
cessiul opponent will pursue. If he persists
in retaining an Office procured by means Of
such an infamous conspiracy, he will show
himself as dishOnOrable man as his friends
have attempted to make out Mr.. Pomeroy.