The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-01-08

From the Topeka Commonwealth
We have been wondering why Jim Legat
went into the newspaper business. But "
marvel no longer. We know all about
now. This is the epoch of reformers. an.
James is one Of them. He has theory con
corning the matter Of crime and the treat
ment of law-breaken which he wishes to in
troduce into Kansas Jurisprudence and Kan
n politics. IL is 10 the effect that when .
man of political prominende violates the Law
relating TO bribery We should unanimously
content ourselves with putting him out O
office, and saying 10 him with solemn unc
ton, ''GO and sin no more" Particularly
should We do no, Legate thinks, il the often.
der has always ''been true To his party and
his State" liberal in the making Of dona.
tions 10 needy enterprises, and alwayr
pro,upt and fair in carrying out his bargains
Of Corruption with his friends and support.
ers.
To illustrate and emphasize his theory Of
reform, Lesate cites the case Of POmerOy, ael
for trial in our district court to- morrow, and
says:
1--WE believe the bravest and lOftiestt act
the District Attorney could do wOuld be to
say TO the court on Monday next, that while
he believes Mr.. Pomeroy guilty as charged,
in copsideration of his relation TO the State
and nation in the past, and believing that
where corruption exists, more than one party
is guilty, that his corruptiOns were prompt. d
ny condition Of the people, TO ask that a
nolie be entered in the case and have Mr..
Pomeroy discharged, and the noblest action
of the court would he to allow the motion"
There can he no doubt, Legste tells us with
exquisite frankness, that POmersy's whole
political career wss career Of persistent and
methodical bribery, and that heowed his place
in the senate 70 the ''open, shameless and
disgraceful" buying of votes. But then, on
the other hand, ''he never failed TO serve
his state and his party faithfully ;" ~h~n lac
went into the market for Voter, he bought
for c.sh and paid On delivery his purse
was always open 10 the church, to otjects Of
charity, TO custodians of "Desr LeRate" let
tiers and, altogether, his virtues 20 nearly
balanced his vices that it would be ''braye
and lofty" in us to shake hands with him and
call it square.
This peculiar theory Of reform has an
odor Of freshness and yet it is not original.
Il vas suggested long before there was any
grange for the moon TO touch with tranquil
glory, or any Legate TO teach 'bravery" and
''Ioftiness" to the officers Of the Law. The
friends of Benedict Arnold, while admitting
his perfidy, sought TO propitiate the feel
ing agains him BY recting the splendid
deeds be had done before he turned
traitor. The highvaymen of ancient
Briion were wont to ask legal pardon
md spiritual ahsolution On the ground that
, liberal share Of the proceeds OF each of
heir murders and robberies had been get
,side to ''the Mother of God" And one of
he greatest English authors has left on
,ecord behind him . serious and ingenios ar
,ument in extenuation of the guilt Of Judas
Iscariot, whom he makes out to have
,een Q much better man than POmeroy il
hown to be BY Lega;e's synopsis Of his
history.
We hardly think Lesate will he able to
,opul.rize his reform. even to the extent OF
occurring . aotie for Pomeroy. The senator
al election Of last winter Wa something
more than grim joke On the ''old man."
d vas popular protest against crime and
in Kansas politics. 1t had .
leeper meaning than the mere illustration Of
politician,s hopes end plans. 1t went 10
he very core of the ini4sity which had |
lung like Q curse 70 Kansas for twelve |
'ears, and made the very name Of the State |
synonym Of corruption throughout the |
uhole country. 1t meant that IN end had |
ome 10 the defiance and trampling under |
cot in politics Of Laws which men ia every.
lay life dare not violate without arrest and |
~ snA L 40
aws-theae laws under which We live and to
shich We look for common security-that
be legal prooeedines againse Pomsroy we've
instituted. These proceedings do not mean
vengeance. But they do mean justice.
II d claimed By Pomeroy and his friends
hat he = guiltie0 Of the charges alleged I
eainst him. He has given, usder oath,
n explanation Of his oonduct in the sens
orial election which makes Col. Yosk's
tory one Of The nost Outrageous libels On
ecord. 1t i due 10 oil ooaoesned-to Pom.
roy himaelf 70 lsa thaa to York a,d the
taie and coosezy-that ths shole u-atter
. weighed and deasfniasd By . count
( justics, and Inst without any for.
heir delay. Tie spirit Of reform, - We in
espeet Il, does soa lead n he direction a.
. nan's 6dslity 10 his saaSs and
,asty - . PoliAician agaast hi Aaer.ns
Of crime - a individual, The
ias ~ not ~ eo0H, vs appsshend, 10
unpeod the opentioas Of cn61oa iustice
q he bsae66 a anyhody. Csssaia i n
1 lsaa. ~ IL psaeis are ~ yA prepared
o - % grave . matter dipossA q aeuoed-
= q Leg.as's shanY; a.d ~ shisk Ne
lssasd asehing y oytlg ~ hnsh pastiesl
D IL pesaiag Trial vii exAihi un4 sshes.
ny" and "Ioatiaanr b psnagaly jsisise
m1s to-0sRsov - IL naia question. snd Il
auying ~ aGiir asaiGhs 70 . eloae. LAI,
- Nv hass = ~.