, 1873-01-18
MIR. HAHLANiH $4,000,

During tho testimony OF Mr. Durant, before
tho Credit Mobilior Investigating Committee,
tho information was obtainod that this gontlo-
man contributed tho sum Of $4,000 to asaist in
securing tho election Of the Row. Mr. Harlan to
tho United Statoa Sonato. This was after Mr.
Harlan had been Secretary of the Interior. hlr.
Durant was good enough to assign as motive
Sought to do something for his country" Tho
Inference was high1yss complimentary to Mr.
Harlan. A1r. Durant said Us plainly as l,e could,
without offending Mr.. Harlan's modeBty, that
1t was for tho countrys good that Mr.. Harlan
was returned to the Scnato. Mr. Harlan, how
ovor, failed to tako tho compliment in tho sauo
generous spirit with which It was giyon, though
1t docs not appear that ho declined the uso Of the
$4,000 which had boon donated with evon
greater magnanimity. Being now Senator, and
Ian haB takou advantage Of his facilit:ss Cor
rushing into print to oSpresa tho opinion that
Mr. Durant's contribution tn this instance was
cntirely foreign to the subject under investga-
tion, ana that nothing should have boon said
about 1t. The Committee evidently docs not
agreo with Mr.. Harlan, for it has called upon
Mr. Durant eyory day subsequently to give some
moro definite statomont conoorning the $4,000
donatiou. Tho statements hayo not agreed from
day to day as thoroughly NJ might havc boon do
aircl. Afr. Durant Haid on Wednesday TINT ho
had given two clcc}is Of ST, 600 each to assist ut
Mr. 1Iarlan'a election. On Ihursdny ho Baid
that ho had gyon these two checks to 1lr, Har-
Ian himself, payable to tho lattcr'a order, "eup-
posing Harlan know how to appropriate it," but
le addod that no did not know whether Harlan
was ut that timo Secretary OF tho interior ornot,
| and did not know whotlor ho waa Mt TINT tino a
candidate for tho United Statas Senate or not.
Tho recolieosions Of Crolit Mobilier Witnesses
aoom to bo slngulurly conflicting on difforont
days.
Mr.. Harlan'a claim, that tho Dnrant con tribu-
ton Of 910. which was giyon certainly for
uBo in Iowa, aud about tho time of Atr. Harana
| canilidaturo for o return to the Unitod Statcs
Henato,- ,-Bllonld not hayo boen brought out be-
fore tho Conmlttoo, ia not good one. It would
/
tho nubjoet undor Investigation aud tho posi-
tion Of A1r. Harlan nt that time. Even II Mr..
lIarlan'a assertion, that thoro was no moro Pacific
llailroad legislation attor he returned to the
Gonalo, bo correct, 1t still rennins that Mr. Har
I'm waa Secretary Of tho Intorior,-a Depart
mont which, from tho worry beginning, had init
mato anl important rolationa with tho Pacific
Isallroads. But, oyon aotting this asilo
1t is ,nattor OF 10 much pnbli'
interest to know TINT ono individual
representing powerful corporation like th'
Union Pacific Rairoal should llnyo giyon $40,
600 to aBaist IN oloctiny ono Senator, that /
atould 10 brought boforo tho public at any tim
and under any oircumstapooa. It is we'll know
that elections generally require money for viva
may bo called legitimate oxponsoa. in orlor +
distinguish thom from corruption funds. TAor
aro tho expenses Of public Bpoakors, tho dlbtrl
button Of pubic documents. tho printing q
ticIiotB, etc., which partlea have assumed 1
their own intorostB. II IL equally truo however
that Senatorial eloctions lffor from all othors
thlH respect: Unted 6tatos Senators are oloote