The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-29
Anders0n's Quickened Conscience

Anu0ASUu 4ulChencu SO1Scleuce.
The Tribune translations have done more
than prove the attempt of Mr.. Tilden and
his agents to buy the electoral votes of the
disputed Southern States. That was an easy
matter after the clue to the guilty intrigue
was found. To the industry and ingenuity
displayed by the Tribune in translating the
cipher dispatches we are indebted for the
discovery of the worst and most shameless
case of political bribery known in the history
of free government. But even the archi-
tects OF Mr.. Tilden's misfortunes builded bet
ter than they knew. They thought to make
clear his turpitude, and have done far more
than that. They have quickened the con-
science of james E. Anderson, the notorious
witness who appeared before the Potter com
mittee last spring. This is great triumph,
Tor it was confidently believed by the people
OF this country that nothing less than an
earthquake or the fear of sudden death could
40 that. His conscience was thought to be
bomb proof.
Mr. Anderson, however, is shrewd. Seeing
that he is to be exposed anyhow, he confesses,
-retracts, he calls it-with the hope of gain
ing whatever credit may attach to voluntary
surrender. After keeping the penny in
his pocket SO long he takes it out and
will perhaps assert that he kept it as a
reward for his honesty in finding it.
The most, however, he can hope for
is immunity from punishment, the usual re-
ward OF the man who turns States evidence.
Of that even he seems to be glad, and with
reason; for he has sought to swear away the
character of men who have stood high with
their telloW-men and have instly commanded
the confidence of the country. He appeared
before the Potter Committee last winter and
swore that prominent Republican leaders
bribed the returning board and the
political manipulators of Louisiana to declare
the vote of that State for Hayes.
The fear Of exposure has now driven An
derson to confession. The translation of the
cipher kilograms has frightened him into tell
ing the truth. His story is that be gave his
testimony for the consideration OF $1,000
cash, the payment of the fees of bis counsel,
Mr.. Sypher of Louisiana, and promise that
he should be "taken care Of" He was
coached for the examination by Democratic
agent, acting under the authority, it is un-
derstood, of Samuel J. Tilden, who also fur
nished the funds. The testimony he gave
was false in every psrticular, and the alleged
Sherman letter forgery. Having got all
they wanted from him the Democrats decline
to be burdened with him longer, doubtless
seeing that the Tribune exposure of the tele.
grams has robbed him Of all value as wit
ness and the investigation of any worth as
Democratic campaign material. They did
stake care of him for while at the public
expense. After giving his evidence he was
not discharged as witness, but drew fees of
three dollars day until the adjournment of
the committee in August. He was then pro-
vided with place as proof-reader on the
Washington Post. He soon lost that, and
asked the Democrats to give him 81 500 to
buy chicken.farm in Louisiana, promising
to give in return receipt in full for all
money or service due him. The negotiations
were stopped by the publication of the cipher
kilograms. The Democrats concluded to 60
out of the witness-business for awhile or
summon new lot for the defense.
Anderson on his part became alarmed, pro-
fessed to feel sorry that he had lied so, and
attempted to open negotiations with Secretary
Sherman. The Secretary refused to have
anything to do with him and Anderson then
concluded the safest course for him was to
make clean breast of the matter and trust
himself to the mercy of those he had ma
ligned.
What with accusations of bribery and
subornation Of perjury the Democratic lead
ers have hard winter before them. They
will OF course claim that Anderson's word is
good for nothing; but it is just as good as it
was last winter when he tried. to swear
Sherman's character away. Then he was
treated by the Democrats as penitent thief
who had stolen the vote of State and was
willing to make what amends he could by
confession Of the crime. He may be treated
now as a penitent perjurer, who has come to
sense of his guilt. The testimony before
the Potter committee was induced by hope OF
reward. The ''retraction" is drawn out by
fear of punishment. Bribery accomplished
the first. A wholesome fear of the penalty
of discovered crime is responsible for the
second. People must judge which motive
is more likely to lead to truth-telling.
Anderson's word in itself is worthless.
Bot the circumstances that attend the deliv-
cry in the last case tend to substantiate it..
There is other evidence of his perjury and
the bribery of him that will be brought out al
the near time when the cipher dispatches
becomes matter of investigation. And not
only Anderson but the men who have en-.
deavored to divert suspicion from their OWL
misdeeds by Justify shouting "stop thief
will be brought to account.