The Red Cloud chief., 1884-06-06
BRIBERY INVESTIGATION.

A"e Massaciiusetts Senate Inyestip,tIp.
Sharges of Corrupsion-The Ho,ton e.
Monopoly.
BOSTON, Mass, May 3o.--Pbe largest
corruption fund that has been distributed
''iioiis massachusetts, Legislators for MANY
sear' has been used during the present ses-
SION TO influence the passage of bills repu-
latIng the manufacture of gas. The bribery
was 50 wholesale and so palpable that the
Legislature was finally shamed into ordering
an investigation. The gas monopoly Of Boston
Is protected by law in this way: A statute
requires that no illuminating gas for public
consumption shall contain more than tep
per cent. of carbonic oxide, and no gas conn
rany is allowed to organize with a canita,
or more than $500. 600. 4 uuluber of
capitalists desired to form a COM
Iany III Boston for the manufacture of
water gas, which contains from TWENTY-FIVE
10 thirty per cent. OF carbonic oxide 4
capital OF at least 81. OaO. 600 WAS necessary
of course the proposed changes in the law
were desperately opposed bv the Boston
Gas-Ligilt Company. The m~onopolistS be-
came alarmed, and 10 gain popular favor re-
dGced the rates from Sl.S per thousand
fett 10 >l-30- But in spite of all influence,
tile Bills in favor Of the watcr-gas people
passed me House anG received two readings
III lie Senate. When the measure came up
for Its third reading. the following dav.
there was an astonishing change of base on
the part of several Senators. One or two
Who had voted in favor OF the bill STAYED
away. Two others, who had voted the same
way, were sent for before that DAVIS
session 10y a ~wc,l-known railroad
president. and on returning Ia the chamber
reversed tltSr votes. Even then the meas
ure had a majority OF one, when. 10 every
body'S establishment, President Bruce di-
rected the clerk TO call his name. and he
voted against the hill, thus defeating il by a
tie vote There is no question about Brucc's
legal right Ia vote as he did. but his action
Is probably without precedent in the MaSSa.
chuSettS Senate. There were plenty Of
Stories atiOat, giving names and the amounts
OF brides, and the matter became 50 scandal
Gus that the Senate ordered an inyeStiga
ton, but the next day the Senator offering
tn order moved a reconsideration for the
purpOSe OF making the order include an in
re>I!sat!on of bribery in both branches.
TheIeupon the Senate defeated both
orders, and the lobbyists brcatlIei
more freely. But this smothcrine
OF a rank public scandal raised
such a widespread storm of Indignation
that every Republican Senator began Ia sec
tia: his political life was AZ stake. and
finally the investigation was ordered. Even
then II was intended that tine inquiry should
he a. brief and far, zeal - possible, fortheIeg.
iSlature had voted 10 finish its session right
on. Senator Whittier. of Boston. testified that
he WAS offered a bride of Sl.CeG 10 remain
away when tie vote on the bill Was taken.
Senator Norris. vino changed his vote from
Yes - no. said he WAS influenced by per
Sonal considerations" which hc declined 10
explain. There il much consideration
among the lobbyists. for the ann III those
Implicated nave not yet been gwen. The
investigation Will Z" on ami The Legislature
will probably I've kept in session Il week
LONGER. There are also charges aga.HS; the
watc;-CaS people. bat they have not ye:
been brought out in evidence.