Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1883-02-27

ply to persuade him to forego the
pleasure he had in view and see lHr.
Ceburn at once. did not ask him
to persuade Mr. Coburn to change his
vote, but to change his sentiments
concerning thefbill, so he would not
decry it when he returned home.
ABOVE CORRUPTION.
Mr.. Price-would You offer man
a bride?
Mr.. Mason-I think nothing would
persuade me to influence man in
that way.
Mr. Price-Is there any difference
between five dollars and hundred
dollars?
Mr.. Mason-No. sir.
Mfr. Price-But you think to offer
a man money to do what heapproved
of is right?
Mfr. Mason-No, sir. I did not
offer him anything except to induce
him to give up something he was
anxious to do.
Mr,Sargent was then recalled
He stated the offer was not to give
him hat, but S.. Inreply to ques-
ton, he said if any other man had
offered him the money he would have
thought it was done seriously, but he
did not know what Mr.. Mason meant
half the time. He said Afr. Mason
had told him the reports would be
published from time to time in the
country newspapers, and he ought to
be willing to do something to work
up the country newspaper business.
AN HONORABLE PROFESSION.
Mr.. Price-Are you a newspaper
man?
r. Sargcnt-Ycs, sir. Being a
newspaper man, did not take the
money. If 1 had been lawyer, i
might have done so.
The members of the Finance Com
mittec were then called in turn, but
testified uniformly they knew of no
corruption or corrupting influences.
The committee then rose, and ex-
pect to make their report to-day.
How it ended may be seen by the
following, from Thursdays Senate
proceedings:
THE COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION
presented their report regarding the
charge of attempts at corruption
The statement of the committee, after
affirming that they had examined all
persons it was advisable to, closed
as follows:
After hearing the testimony, your
committee are satisfied that the pro-
posal made by HIr. Mason to Mr..
Sargent was not made with corrupt
intentions, or with q view of exercis-
ing any corrupt influence upon Sena-
tors, but was done thoughtlcssly and
without serious consideration. Yet
your committee deem it proper to
say they regard it as being improper
in itself and of an evil tendency. at
the same time your committee takes
pleasure in saying that while Mr..
Mason has taken great interest in Sc
curing the passage of the bill, and has
obtained valuable statistical informa-
ton, which he placed at the disposal
of members in investigating the mat
tiers to which the bill relates, vet he
has not done anything of questionable
propriety so far as the committee
could ascertain, but in the instance
above mentioned Offering Mr.. Sar-
gent five dollars to speak to Mr.. Co.
burn). tits perfectly legitimate and
proper for any one interested in leg
islation to influence members, by
presenting facts and arguments
bearing upon it, so as to convince
their judgments that they should
act in a certain way. But, whenever
it is proposed to use money or any
other thing of value. however small,
either directly or indirectly to infIu-
ence the votes of members, the ten
dency is to evil and should be con-
demned. But as has been said, in
this instance your committee is sat
isfied no one was actuated by corrupt
motives or evil designs.
Respectfully submitted,
Mr.. PRICE, Chairman.