Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-08
As to Senator Payne.

lttical belief. should unite In a demand that
the methods by which Senator Payne was
elected TO the United States Senate should
the senate to investigate this matter last
winter was most discreditable TO all the
parties, except those who demanded the in
vestigation. The scandal involved has be-
come cO-extensive with the dimensions of
the country. Not only is Senator Payne
under a heavy, impenetrable cloud, but
Ohio itself is disgraced by the very Sus-
picion that one of her senators occupies
purchased seat.
An attempt was made TO investigate this
matter, last winter, and there was no pre-
tense put forth by anybody that the United
States senate was likely to be anything but
an impartial tribunal. As matter of fact,
il proved TO be the case that it really leaned
toward the senator implicated in wrong
doing. If he were innocent he could have
been assured of fair trial-of having abSO-
lutte justice done him. Here was, certainly.
a grand opportunity for an innocent man
What would almost any other innocent man
do in the circumstances in which Sena-
tor Payne was placed, but promptly de-
mand an investigation and enforce the de
mand?
Nobody knows why-Payne falling to
embrace this opportunity-his fellow-Sena-
tors did not insist on the investigation. The
seuste was itself under cloud, for a body
which has a member who enjoys his seat as
the result of questionable or diShOnOrable
means, and allows him to sit, is Itself NOR
ally responsible and shares his guilt. 1t is
true that the senate did act but how? II
decided that the most serious charges-ex-
plicit and cOmprehensive-suS sustained by the
testimony of democrats and republicans
slike-and showing that members of the
legislature were purchased outright-were
not worthy of their attention, and they re-
fused to investigate.
Were the few republican senators who
opposed investigation. afraid that ii would
motor wOuld-cOnvict Mr.. Payne? In
either case there was no danger to republi-
canism. If Mr.. Payne, on fair investiga-
ton. was acquitted of all blame and shown
TO be in the rightful possession of his seat,
not only would he have been vindicated,
but the cloud of shame would
have been rolled off of the COM
monwealth of Ohio. Republicans. too,
would be glad 10 see and accept trust
worthy evidence showing that democrats
and Others had lied about their democratic
brother, Senator Payne, and his supporters
Nc harm could have come to republicans
from any possible result of the investiga-
tion. Whoever might be found guilty. they
were not only free from guilt. but from
suspicion even. The only harm that comes
10 us is from the failure to investigate II
Psyne's seat was secured by dishonest
means-we do not say, if Payne secured !
his seat by dishonest means-Ihe response |
bility rests upon a republican senate which |
allows him to retain his seat
This is a matter 10 which the people of |
Ohio should give their attention at once |
Senator Sherman is within easy reach. |
Men Of both and all parties should heed |
Mr.. Halstead'S well-put suggestion to sign |
petitions demanding-nOt conviction. but |
merely a tair and thorough investigation. |
Nothing could be fairer than that
Why should We not do this? Every citi-
zen who winks at a wrOng-or fails 10 do |
what he reasonably can TO right-it is, TO a |
greater or less extent. implicated.