The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-02-18
from the st. Paul Dispatch.l
MN nONNELLY VINDICATE D.


THE DISPATCH can point to its course
relative to the recent exposure OF MI.
Donnelly's connection with the Memphis,
Ell Paso, and Pacific railroad, as evidence
of freedom from any desire to shield Off
cial or other rascality whoever may be
hit. While regretting to see man occu-
pying Mr.. Donnelly's position, implicated,
we felt no desire to shield him
if guilty. The statement on its
face placed Mr.. Donnelly in discredita-
BILE position, but the letter of Mr..
Scnmoele, to the Philadelphia Press, pub
lished elsewhere, fortunately relieves him
of the charge of corruption.
A more careful examination of the
Globe proves the statement of the DIS
PATCH to be correct, that the only legisla-
ton attempted for the road during Mr..
Donnelly' term in Congress was bill
granting the right of way. An
elaborate history Of the matter in sub
sequent number Of the New York Sun,
shows that to have been the only leglsla
ton attempted. That was mere matter
of form, and would not of course meet
with opposition which would require any
effort to overcome.
The darkest matter for Mr.. Donnelly
| was the record showing due bill for
$4,000 to have been issued
IN February, before his term
expired. This is now fully explained by
Mr.. Schmoele's letter. He says that a
week before Mr.. Donnelly's term expired,
(which would be in February, it was
proposed to employ him Donnelly) as a
permanent Washington attorney for the
road. This was Mr.. Donnelly's un-
doubted right and was unobjectionable.
| Ben Wade, when he retired from the SEN
ate, or practically from the position Of
Vice President, entered the service OF the
Union Pacific as an attorney, and IS to-
day in Washington in that capa4cly. his
integrity has never been questioned and
he has not been criticised as having done
an improper act, though he has repeated.
" appealed to Congress and Compression.
al committees in behalf Of the enterprise
which he represents.
1t is natural to suppose that members
of Congress, when they become private
citizens, must resort TO something for a
livelihood, and when a member Of Con
gress knows the date of his retirement, II
would be very rigorous rule Of morality
which would require him to. await unit
his commission had actually expired be
fore even negotiating for future business
When it is considered that the terms o
the contract required Mr.. Donnelly t
abandon all future public life and remov
; to Washington for an indefinite period
the agreement to pay $4,000, contingen
on future sales of bonds, does not appea
to be unreasonable or convey any COZ
rupt idea in the transaction.
But the whole matter is still more in
cisively treated by Mr.. Schmoele, VIII
saws tina: Mr.. Donnelly declined to &c
cept the contract, and that he (Schmoele
holds to-day the stock and due bill i
blank, which the Executive Commute
ordered to be given to Mr.. Donnelly. MI
Schmoele is gentleman unknow
to the western public, bu
= his statement that he sti
holds the unexecuted papers proves, n
credibility as, in case Of COMPRESSION:
S investigation, which is probable, he know
: he would have to produce them as cola
S eral evidence.
). Not only Mr.. Donnelly, but the Stat
of Minnesota. is to be congratulated upo
!" the removal Of this cloud. W
y have enough to answer Il
Y in all conscience, without tt
b addition Of unjust accusations. We tru
ic that the present or the next Congre
a will thoroughly investigate the who
: matter, in order that those who are u
Justly accused may have the benefit Of I
IS official acquittal. 1t is now incumbsn
Is however, upon the partisan assailant /
e. Mr.. Donnelly, to do him the justice,
- an insertion Of Mr.. Schmoele's brief e
q. PLANTATION.