Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-03-09
BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION AGAIN.

BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION AGAIN.
In another part of the LEDGER to-day
will be found an editorial frem the New
Orleans Times Of last Sunday on the
subject OF the Shelby county nine
now in the Legislature, and that journals
charge of bribery against them in the
matter OF Johnson's election to the
United States Senate. We have on two
occasions, since the Times first printed
the paragraph alleging that the recently
chosen Senator from Tennessee had
bought the support Of our county dele
cation for that place, expressed disbe.
lief in the charge aud denounced it as
utterly unworthy of a moments consid-
GRAFTON at the hands OF a Legislative
committee. In its Sunday article, how
ever, the Times has become very pointed
and specific in a reiteration Of the
charge, and claims that it has some
authority for all it has said in the mat.
ter. II such be the ease that paper
should not indulge in vague hints con
c%erning the matter, and should not stop
at the misty sort Of information that IF
we would we could" etc. as it does in
its article which we reproduce. though it
expresses a desire to furnish its sources
Of information If called upon. By all
a let the Times tell all it knows.
If no one else will make the call, the
LEDGER most earnestly aud respectfully
requests 10 be furnished with all the
proofs and facts which will lead to proofs
in the Ease which it holds in possession,
with the assurance to the Times that il
it will do 30 we will pursue the matter to
its legitimate conclusion as faithfully as
ever did Fouche hunt up evidence
against the enemies of the French En-.
pire, leaving nothing undone that will
tend either to the conviction or acquittaI
of Shelby's Representatives. In justice
to itself and TO the parties it has ar.
ragned, the Times should be most care.
full Of what it charges and be certain ia
make no ~misstatements. We are led to
giving out this caution because thai
journal asserts or intimates that il asked
it might probably lay before the com.
mittee (allnding to a Legislative one GER
tain facts in relation to a written pledge
obtained from that delegation before they
were nominated at the Exposition build.
ing convention" which we know the
Times could not do truthfully. The
Shelby delegation signed no pledge OF
paper Of any kind as q necessary step to
coming before the convention. ION the
contrary, had the convention supposed
that they either had signed a pledge con
corning the election Of United States
Senator or anything else which it did
not openly require them to do-and that
was simply to abide by its selections and
support its nominees these nine
would never have been allowed to come
before it. And for a more accurate in.
formation for the Times Of the sentiments
of the convention, we will tell it that
two.thirds OF the members Of that body
we're not 10 favor Of Andrew Johnson,
and moreover. that subject was never for
one moment up for consideration before
it. The pledge" which the delegation
signed, and evidentlythe one to which the
Times refers, was the one known IS the
mike Waldron cigar box" paper, which
was done in secret, long after the conven.
ton had been held in July, and just before
the election in November, and neither
the members of the nominating conven
ton nor the great mass of their c%onstitu
cuts knew anything about it until
short time before the assembling OF th,
State Legislature in January Of th'
present year. This error We hope th'
Times will correct, as it does injustice Il
the convention. If Johnson's money
was used at all to secure the signing o
any pledge" it was done in getting thu
signatures to the "Waldron paper,
which, however, we are frank to say, W,
don't believe, aud will hold the accuse,
guiltless until the Times produces ire
fragible proof to the contrary. SO, gen
tlemen Of the Times, forward whateye
information you have regarding thi
matter, and let us work up its truth o
error.