The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-09
Complete Review of the Facts in the Case,
Showing the Character Of the Charges and
the Testimony offered to Support Them.
An Urgent Plea in Behalf Of Honesty
and Purity in Public Servants.
A Meeting of the Senate Committee on Elec-
tions To Be Held This Morning, When an
Effort Will Be Made to Reopen the Case.
ONO REPUBLICAN EDITORS.
Cogent Reasons for Demanding an Investi-
cation in the Payne Case.

cation in the Payne Case.
COLUMBUS, o. July S-The Republican ed
itors of Ohio met at II A. NJ, pursuant to CALL to
express themselves on the action of the Senate
of the United States, through its committee on
privileges and elections, in refusing to order an
investigation of the charges made in connection
with the election of Senator Henry B. Payne.
There were seventy five editors registered, and
about seventy counties in the State represented.
At the forenoon session Gen. James NJ. Comfy,
of Toledo, was elected president of the conven-
tion, and S. j. Flickinger, of Columbus, secre-
tary. and the following committees appointed:
On Resolutions-M. Hastead, w. S. Capel-
lar, Charles f. Baldwin Jay P. Treat John
Hopley, Leo Hirsch and Dan A. Rudd.
Permanent Organization of Ohio Republican
Editors-D. d. Taylor, w. G. Lyons. C. e. Bon
brake F. S. Wilson and T. G. Reynolds.
kilograms were received from large number
of editors who were unable to be present, ex-
pressing sympathy with the movement, among
them Edwin Cowles, of the Cleveland Leader,
who said 'The Republicans of northern Ohio
unanimously condemned the action of the
United States Senate in condoning the buyers
of senatorial nomination for H. B. Payne;
justice to him requires that the charges should
ing an investigation speaks volumes. If inno-
cent he should clear his name from suspicion"
The convention adjourned to l:30, when the
committee on resolutions submitted the follow
ing
ITO the Senate of the United States
"The Republican editors of Ohio in conven-
ton assembled, respectfully represent that the
circumstances preceding and attending the cleo
ton, in 1884, of Henry B. Payne to the United
States Senate, from Ohio induced the firm be-
lief in the public mind, at the time, that his
election was accomplished by the corrupt use of
money. The developments since have confirmed
this belief. 1t has become the settled conviction
of the people OF Ohio that Mr.. Payne holds his
seat in the Senate the result of bribery. 1t
would be difficult to find a well-informed person
in the State seriously to dispute the fact. These
convictions not the result of partisan feeling,
for it is notorious that the accusations of corrup
ton originated with persons of opposite
political principles from ourselves and
yet the influence of money and the
power of party discipline have. in most cases.
caused them to defend, rather than to denounce,
these charges first made by themselves. Your
memorialists share this general conviction The
far-reaching evils of the situation ara manifest
ana redress can only come from the Senate OF
the United States. We therefore respectfully
and earnestly request that the Senate will d-
rect an investigation TO be made, believing it
will establish the charges of bribery and cor
ruptlon formally presented by the Ohio Senate
and House of Representatives. Ex ressive of
the convictions Of She Republican editors of
Ohio are inclosed resolutions and an address
adopted, and we ask that the Senate shall vindi-
cate the character Of the State, either by clear
ing up these charges or by purifying that hon
orabe body from the presence of a member cor
ruptly elected
Resolved That is declared to be the belief of the
membe OF thin convention and they charge, that
the election of Henry B. Payne to the Senate of the
hxrf fhn of
large of money, furnished and disbursed by the
acknowledged agents and representatives of Mr..
Payne, and that this convention further declares its
belief that investigation by the Senate will sub
stantate this charge and they not that the
fact has been, in any direct and responsible way de-
MED.
Resolved, That the Senate committee on prvi-
leges and elections be- and it is hereby requested to
act favoraby upon the communication of the
bers of the Ohio delegation in Congress asking for
reconsideration of the vote whereby the committee de-
clined to recommend investigation of the election
of Mr. Payne and also to take into consideration the
final communications Of Representatives Little and
Butterworth offering further evidence of bribery in
the election of Mr. Payne and further weighty reasons
for investigating.
privileges and elections adheres to its reported decis
on the Senate of the United States be requested to
take this decision of its committee privileges and
elections into consideration and reverse it,
Resolved That it is suggested to the Senate of the
United States not to ignore its time honored prece
dents and turn from its doors State which comes so
seats in that body purchased with money-a
charge which, if ignored by the Senate must unfavor.
ably influence the reputation Of that body itself.
Resolved, That it is the right of the people of
State fundamental and vital in character to have an
investigation into senatorial election therein when
the is charged by representative and responsible
authority as has been done in this case to have been
accomplished by bribery or other corrupt means.
Resolved, That copy Of these resolutions, at
tested by the officers of this convention be transmit
ted to the President of the Senate"
The foregoing resolutions were supplemented
by the following memorial addrst sed to the SEN
ate of the United States:
1.-THE Republican editors of Ohio assembled
to consider matter of grave concern to their
State and to the Nation. ask the attention of the
United States Senate and of the country to
brief recount of the For the first time in
the history of the Republic, State speaking
through its legislative and other equally accred-
tied agents, preferring before the proper COM
mittee of the national Senate definite and we'll
supported charges of wholesale bribery in the
purchase of one of her seats in the Senate, has,
so far as the committee privileges and Cleo
tions of the Senate decide, been turned away
and refused the opportunity which she sought to
make good the charges of bribery by legal proof
Through accredited representatives the State
reconsider the adverse decision, and.
while awaiting action, we, as citizens of
Ohio, propose to be heard. We maintain that
Senators of the United States hold their seats at
the hands of the States acting through their re-
spective Legislatures; that these latter bodies
form proper channels of communication between
a State and the Senate, in all that pertains to
the integrity Of its seats in that body No in
stance has arisen in the history of the Senate
where specific and well-supported charges of
bribery in senatorial election, preferred by tho
Legislature of State. have not been properly
investigated by tho Senate. In fact, so jealous
has the Senate been of Its own integrity and
honor. that it has heretofore promptly ordered
eoskt
in other cases upon the memorial of individual
members of Legislature charging fraud in
Senatorial elections. The charge that the seat
OF Henry B. Payne was purchased. BY the cor
g.