The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-05-12

colored vote is necessity. The Unit
ed States authorities have come to the
conclusion that this business of cheat
ing voters out of their rights must be
stopped. In too many instances in
South Carolina, as well as other states
South. men have obtained seats in Con-
gress by fraud. Such was the case of
Chalmers, who was elected from his
seat in the House last week, and
Lynch, who, it was proved, had re-
ceived twice as many votes, was put
in his place. So palpable was the
fraud by which Chalmers held his seat,
some of the most respectable Demo-
Gratis of the House refused to stand by
him when the vote to reject him was
taken.
The trial of violators of the election
laws has been in progress the past
three weeks in the United States Court
at Charleston, s. c., Judge Rond pre-
siding. Some of the most fragrant
frauds have been disclosed by the evil
dence. A single case will illustrate:
In one election district. 1870, more bal
lots were found in the ballot-box than
there were names on the poll list.
Evidence has not been found wanting
to convict, but the difficulty is with
juries; they will not find the parties
guilty, but in most cases contriye to
disagree, or at least render some tri-
fling verdict.
CONNECTION IN THE SENATE-WHIS-
KEY LOBBY IN FORCE.
There has been commotion in the
Senate over charge coming from out
side parties that members of that body
have been tempered with by the " whis-
key ring" 1t is alledged, not without
foundation. that over q quarter of a
million of dollars has been raised by
whiskey capitalists for the purpose of
lobbying measures through Congress
in the interest of the liquor business.
Senators naturally feel uneasy under
such an imputation, and dozen or
more of them on Thursday last took
occasion to deny any knowledge of
improper influences being attempted
with them. Senator Windham offered
resolution, which was adopted, for
the appointment of committee to in
vestigate the reports, in respect to of
fers of money to control the actions OF
Senators.
1t is alledged the Washington news
paper correspondents assumed to take
charge of the money raised by the
whiskey ring, promising to use it in
securing favorable legislation, but that
they failed to make good their prom
ises and pocketed the money. This,
too, will be inquired into by the Com
mittee, inasmuch as these correspon-
dents are privileged persons in the
Capitol. As usual the Whiskey interest
has strong friends in Congress, most of
them from the Southern States. Sena-
tor Beck, of Kentucky made an earnest
appeal in behalf of the whiskey produ-
GERS; he favored encouraging the dis
tillers, for the reason they furnished
the farmers with market for their
corn. Other Southern Senators shared
in the views of Senator Beck, as to the
benefit of distillefs. 1t appears from
the Commissioners of Internal Reve-
nue. there is now due the United States
$67 100000 tax on whiskey, stored in
bonded warehouses. The law requires
the payment of 90 cents tax on each
gallon manufactured before it can be
offered for sale. The time for which
whiskey can be held without payment
of tax is limited; this explains the
SOL, 900 now due, the time of its ex-
emption from tax having expired.
What the whiskey lobbyists now seek
to gain is the repeal of the law requir-
ing the payment of the tax on whiskey
before it is sold, and allow the tax to be
paid after selling. If this should be
done, the whiskey capitalists would be
relieved from tremendous present
liability.
What this Congress will do in grant
ing the request of the liquor interest
is not fully disclosed. 1t should be I'M
derstood that no tangible evidence has
appeared that Senators have been cor
rupted by money. The amount of
capital invested in the liquor business
is vastly greater than most persons sup
pose; it is monyed power of great
influence on public affairs. And what
shall be said of whiskey itself? 1t is
being coronated king its rule is extend
ing from sea to sea; it controls NUM-
cipal and State elections; and helps to
shape National destiny.
OVERFLOW RIVERS IN WISCONSIN.
A delegation of solid men from Wis
consin has been in Washington the
past week, to ask aid from Congress to
control the unruly rivers of that state.
Gov. Rusk and Judge Frisby headed
the delegation. These gentlemen were
authorized by resolution of the Wis
consin legislature to present the river
claims in Washington. The Fox and
Wisconsin rivers, it is alledgei, annu-
ally overflow their banks, to the great
damage of the farmers on the lowlands.
There has been deluge of waters the
past season in many parts of the Union,
and Congress has been besought to
grant appropriations to confine the
rivers to the channels, where they le-
ultimately belong. Millions have been
asked for rivers, especially in the
great valley of the Mississippi. 1t is
true the Fox and Wisconsin do not
compare with the Mississippi and Mis-
souri,, but still they are rivers of no
mean magnitude, and their claims for
improvement have been literally en-
cOuraged by congress in past years.
They will doubtless some day be made
more available for navigable purposes.
The Wisconsin delegation, while
here. visited many places of interest
in the city, and were received with the
respect and attention due to distin-
guished visitors. They were compli-
mented with an invitation to a card
reception at the presidential mansion,
which was represented by members of
the Foreign Legation, Heads of Depart
ment, Senators and Representatives,
Judges of Supreme Court, Army and
Navy officers, and distinguished civil
lans. This evening Gov. Rusk gives a
reception in the parlors of the Ebbett
House, which is intended chiefly for
Wisconsin people in Washington.