Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-09
THE PAYNE BRIBERY CASE.
that Payne of Ohio holds his Seat in
the Senate n q Result OF Bribery, and
Request an Investigation by the
Senate.


CoLUhBUs, D, July &
Seventy-6ve republican editors of Ohio,
representing seventy couaties, met here to-
day in answer to q call 10 express themselves
on the refusal of the o. S, Senate committee
on the privileges and elections to order an in
vestigatlon of the Payne bribery charges.
Gen. James NJ. Conley was made president
of the gathering. ard L. j. Flyckinger secre-
tary. A committee on resolutions. headed
by Mr.. Halsted, and committee on perma-
nent organization was also chosen. Tele-
grams were read from q large number of
editors who were unable to be present, ex-
pressing sympathy with the movement.
The committee on resolutions this after
noon presented the following:
To the Senate of the United States:
The republican editors of Ohio in conven-
ton assembled, respectfully represent that
circumstances pending and attending the
election in 1884 of Henry B. Payne to the U.
S. Senate from Ohio. induced q firm belief
in the public mind that his election was
secured by the corrupt of money. Develop
ments since have confirmed this belief. /,
has become the settled conviction of the peo-
die of Ohio that Payne holds his seat in the
Senate As the result of bribery. These con-
victions are not the result of partisan feeling,
for it is notorious that the accusation OF the
posite political opinions fro.n 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 il the general conviction
for reaching the evils of the situation are
manifest, redress can only come from the
Senate of the United States. We therefore
respectfully and earnestly request that the
Senate will direct that an investigation be
made, believing that it will establish the
charges of bribery and corruption formally
presented BY the Ohio Senate and House OF
Representatives. Expressive OF the convic
tlon OF the republican editors of Ohio are the
| enclosed resolutions and address adopted and
We ask that the Senate shall vindicate the
| character of the state either by clearing uI
these charges or by purifying that honorable
body from the presence of the member cor
ruptly elected.
Resolved, That il is declared to be the be-
| lief of the members of this convention ano
they so charge that electing Henry B. PAYNE
to the Senate Of the United States was by the
| corrupt use of large sums of money, furnish
ed and disbursed bv acknowledged agents
representatives of Payne, and this convention
further declares the belief that an investiga
charge. They are not aware that the fac,
has been in any direct and responsible way
denied.
Resolved, That the Senate committee be
and is hereby required to act favorably upon
| the communication of members of the Ohio
| delegation in Congress, asking for a reconsid
GRAFTON of the vote whereby the commit:e,
declined to recommend an investigation OF
the election of Payn., and also to take into
consideration the inal communication o.
Representatives Lit,le and But;erw orth offer
ing further evidence of bribery in the election
of PAYNE ard further weightier reason for ar
investigation.
| Resolved. That in case the Senate commit
tee on privileges and elections adheres to its
| decision, the Senate of the United States be
requested to take the decision of its com.
mittee on privileges and elections into con.
sideration and reverse il.
| A memorial to the Senate emphasizing the
resolutions was adopted with the resolutions
The signatures of all the editors present and
number not present were appended. A
permanent organization was then effected
with Gen. Comfy of the Toledo Commercial
as president. The editors called on Gov.
Foraker and he indorsed their action, making
a speech. Secretary of State Robinson Hol
ten and others spoke.