Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-07-23
PAYNES BRIBERY CASE,
REPORT OF THE U. S. SENATE IN
VESTlGATING COMMITTEE.
Charges Against Payne Rest Largely ON
Hearsay-The Committee Practically
Exouerate Him, But Recommend
Further senate Investigation.

WAsnINGTON, June 15.-The report on
the Payne bribery matter signed 10y Sena-
tors Pugh, Salisbury, Vance, and EuNtis,
reviewed the circumstances leading to
investigation into the charges, including
the proceedings of the investigating com
mittees of the Ohio legislature. The res
olutou of the ohio senate, the report
says, which charges that Payne's election
was procured by bribery and corruption, Is
based solely on common report, suggested
and corroborated by the public press of
the State without respect to party, and
by the recent investigation of the House
of Representatives.
The committee say they recognize the
necessity of throwing all possible safe
guards against corruption around the
Senate, but question the sincerity of the
parties making the charges, after allow
ing SO long time to elapse.
1t is conceded that the Democrats had a
majority in the Goth general assembly of
Ohio, of SO members, and that Henry Is.
Payne was the only Democrat voted for
by the members when elected to the senate.
The charge was preferred against Payne
by the Senate and House acting separate
ly, and the G5th legislature, was different
legislature from that which elected him
and was composed at the time the charges
We're made, of a majority of representa-
tives in each house. 1t is also cOnceu-
ed that prior to the day when
the law required the Goth gen
eral assembly of Ohio 30 vote
for the election of United States
senator. the caucus of Democratic mem
bers of the legislature was held to nolnin-
ate some person for whom they were to
vote and that in such caucus Henry Is.
Payne received Il majority, and was de
clared nominated. The charge is that
money was corruptly used by being paid
to or for the use of divers mem
bers of the caucus to secure their votes
for Paynes nomination. The committee
examined carefully the testimony taken
by select committee of the Ohio House,
and say this was not supplemented or
strengthened by any additional legal
evidence. They therefore report, first
that Henry b. Payne has not been charged
with having any thing to do personally
or with having personal knowledge OF
connection with, or participation in, any
act or anything that may have
been done, or charged as having
been done that was wrong, criminal, inn
moral or reprehenslbe in his election.
Second, the majority of your committee
report that on the whole case as presented
to Them recommend that the Senate make
further investigation of the charges in
Volving the right of Henry b. Payne to
his seat. Your committee ask to be dis
charged from further consideration OF the
matters referred to them, and that the
whole subject be indefinitely postponed.
The report made by Senators Teller,
Evarts and Logan gives the facts of Sena-
tor Payne's election, and after review Of
the charges says The conclusion is upon
the whole matter us presented in evidence
and argument to the committee on priv
ileges and elections We are of the opinion
that there is no evidence which pur-
fltlf md matt ltI1
or bribery was employed in the election
of Payne affecting votes given either in
the legislature, whereby his election was
carried by the corrupt votes to effect his
election nor, IN our opinion Is there any
allegation that proof exists to an extent
that would vitiate the election of Payne
by reason of necessary votes in
the caucus or the legislature for
his election, having been obtained
by fraud, corruption or bribery.
We are of the opinion that the testimony
and other considerations placed before the
Senate do not warrant it in insttuting,
by itself, an invest gatOn looking to the
unseating of Mr.. Payne.
Senators Hoar and Frye lay tress
on the memorials of the OHIO sen
ate and House, and the Republl-
can State committee asking an investi-
CATION, the statements of congressman
Butterworth and Little and other Ohio
representatives that they believe the
charges 10 be true. All these things, say
MessIs Hoar and Frye, present a case
where it is the Senate's duty to per
nit the petitioners to present their eVid
ence and authorize the issue of Il proper
process to aid them in procuring an at
tendance of witness. For the.Seuate to re
fuse to listen to this complaint would
be everywhere taken as IA declaration Of
its indifference to the question whether
its seats are in the future subjects of bar
gain and sale, and may be presented by a
few millionaires as "A compliment to afrlend
They recommend adoption Of the accom-
panying resolution: Resolved, that the
committee on privileges and elections. OF
any subcommittee thereof, be authorized
to investigate the charges affecting the
title to the seat of Henry b. Payne, and
that all expenses of investigation be paid
out of the Senate contingent fund.