The sun., 1878-12-22

his aim TO be TO provide additional legiela-
tion for the more perfect security OF the
right OF suffrage, II 1t bo within the compo-
tcncy of Congress.
Now, q question like this ought TO be d.
vested Of any party character to attract to
1t serious consideration. The people Of tho
United States everywhere have an interest
In knowing whether representation in Con-
grcss and in the electoral colleges is pro-
cured by the methods alleged in these reso-
lutons. II the charges be true, 1t will not
be difficult to find n remedy in one form or
another for public opinion will reach them
effectively, oven il the letter Of the consttu-
tional amendments should not be technically
violated But their absolute truth must be
established, free from any reasonable doubt,
before any such corrective can be applied.
The Democrats made no opposition what
ever TO the resolutions, and Mr., THURMAN's
amendment only contcmplatcs an enlarge
mcnt of their scope, so as TO include n class
OF cases which Mr.. BLAINE had adrOitly
omitted, or conveniently forgotten. They
demanded. however, that the invostiga-
tion should be conducted with open doors,
SO that the accusers and the accused could
be confronted, and If there was partisan
bias in the management of the inquiry IL
would be detected on the spot. The Repub-
leans solidly voted against this condition,
and thereby subjected themselves to the
imputation Of star chamber proceeding,
designed for no other object than n partisan
manpuvrc.
There are rare cases when the action Of
| committee may at a certain stage be con-
Quoted in secrecy, looking to n public in
tcrest which might be damaged by prema-
turc exposure. But they are exceptions TO
the great American principle Of publicity,
and this certainly is not one Of those cases,
as only political questions are involved,
| about which there should be no conceal
ment of any kind. At the outset Of the
| Credit Mobiler investigation, the Committee
sought to shut down the gates, and to eX-
clude everybody, until they had white
washed the corrupt members of Congress
whom OAKEs AMEs had bought with scrip.
bonds, and dividends. The press forced them
open, and with what effect the blasted rcpu-
tations of vcnal hypocrites like SCHUYLER
CoLFAx and canting knaves like DE GoLYER
GARFIELD attest. A similar cry will be
raised now, and IL Mr.. BLAINEs packed COM
| Ulllltt w hNl uefu W. Nll'1 hbh b'bN'A bh-
journ sine die after the first meeting. The
country wants tho whole truth without col
orng, taint, or suspicion, and not cooked
thing called truth, on tho half shell.
The blundcr of the Republicans in the
House was on the bill OF Mr.. CHALMERS,
providing as follows
"No ofhcer agent or contractor other person hold.
ing any office or employment Of proht or trust under the
NV
contribution money other valuable thing by the
abuse Of any official privilege function. or by
threats and menaces In any other manner inermodde
with the election Of any member or members Of either
House Of Congress OF the President vccPrc sdcnt
OF the United States and every such officer or other per-
son offending therein shall tC held guilty of high mis-
demoanor. and conviction thereof shall be removed
from such oicc employment. and nncd In sum not
exceeding sloon Any person who shall by solicitation
or otherwisc attempt to induce any onccr or person
holding employment o. profit trust under the United
States to contribute money Or any valuable thing to be
used for election purposes IN any election above emu
mcsa;od. shall be held guilty Of high misdemeAnor and
on conviction thereof shall b. fined In sum not exceed
ing si,ooon
Here was an opportunity FOR rcformers
to put themselves on record against the
vicious system Of assessing oliceholders
and others in the public employ. One great
present danger to our form Of govern.
ment is corruption of the ballot box by the
use OF money. Bribery at elections has
invaded the rural districts, even in what are
considered the most enlightened and moral
States Of the Union, and the evil has spread
so largely as TO become n matter Of the
gravcst concern TO rejecting minds. This
bill strikes at the official form OF this vice
which in the last ten years has taken i'm
mensc proportions, and which candid mcI
OF all parties denouncc. Upon the test ques
tion Of suspcnding the rules, the Republi
cans voted with united voice against tn,
proposition, and thus took the responsibility
Of uphoding system which Is not onl!
demoralizing in its tendency. but disgrace
ful to all concerned In IL.