Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-09

MIR. Payne had been paid money for their
SSo5es the House o. hspreSentasy,Ss G6 our p
the case OF four OF Its members
who had been members OF
former Legislature, and who were among
those charged with having received orihes.
While this committee did not find evidence to
prove the charges against these particular
members, it did transmit evidence to the Sen
ate OF the United States which established as
strong prima facie case of fraud in the eiec-
tion OF Mr.. PAYNE as was ever laid before that
body In any similar case.
THE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
3 The State Central Republican Committee
of our State. at a meeting called to consider
the matter, passed resolutions charging, upon
Information and belief that the seat OF MIR.
Payne was purchased, and requesting the
Senate to investigate the charge, and APP
pointing ReDresentatlve John Little, OF our
state, to appear befOre the Senate committee
in behalf OF the Republicans of Ohio. and
present the proofs upon which the grave
charges made had been preferred.
3. The Senate of o0r State, acting for itself,
fOrmuiat ted definite charges that the seat of
Mr.. Payne was bought, declared the reasons
for its belief, and forwarded them to the
Senate with request that au investigation
might be ordered.
4. The House of Representatives of Ohio,
following the example of the Ohio Senate and
acUng for itself, and in addition TO the report
OF its committee, passed resolution charging
bribery in Mr.. Paync's election, and also ask
ing the Senate 10 have the same investigated.
LAID BEFORE CONGRESS-.
3. Representative Little appeared, accord
ing to his appointment, before tho Senate
Committee on Privileges and Elections, and
in a statement of unusual strength and clear
ness showed that there was abundant PROOF TO
justify the charges which had been forw arded
from ONO. At later hearing he called TO
his assistance Representative Butterworth, =,
of our state, and each in statements Of great
force laid before the senate Committee
a mass OF additional evidence of
charac er which properly startled the
country. although it aeems to have fallen dead
upon a portion of the committee This was
no less than an offer to prove by legal evidence.
in case the Senate would afford them an OPP
portunIty before the committee Of Dvestlga-
tion, that Oliver IL. Payne, son of the Sena-
tor, contributed $l0a,U00 towards the pur-
chase Of seat for his father in the Senate
of the United states; that David r. Page.
one of the managers Of Mr.. Pay mes election,
took $65 .000. either of the above sum or as an
independent sun, to Columbus for use in the
purchase of members OF the Legislature, and
that John X. Mclean, of Clncinn III. paid
100000 to help secure votes for Mr.. Payne.
Besides this Messrs. little and Butterworth
presented many proofs tending TO establish
bribery of various members Of the Legisla-
ture which elected Mr.. Payne.
THE LEGATIONS GALL.
6. The colleagues Of Messrs. Lltte aud But
terworth. seeing the public statement that
the Senate comm ttee had decided to report
against the request for an in vestIgation, ad-
dressed a comm unication to the Senate com
mittee which bad the approval of senator
sherman declaring their belief in the charges
of bribery brought at,ainst h1r. Payne, ana
fur her conviction that they could be estab
l'shed by investigatio , and asking for recon-
sideratioR OF tie ri.ss 1T the hands OF the
committee. IL is therefore submitted to the
Committee on Privileges aad Elections, TO tue
Senate and to the people OF the United States
that with the showing, and our State thus
speaking and thus Affirming through regu
lAt fad uaH n M a
representatives., has right to full hearing
under oatn for it's witnesses before the Senate
committee of investigation.
AN EXPLANATION DEMANDED.
In case the showing thus made and the re-
quest thus formally presented and strongly
supported are not deemed sufficient to justify
an iDvesti CATION, it will seem difficult 10 con
celVe under what circumstances q State can
obtain hearing when charges of bribery are
made. WetherefOre request OF the Senate that
IN its forthcoming report from its Committee
N Privileges and Elections. 1t will determine c
and announce for the benefit OF ali States,
forms which must be complied with and
conditions which must exist before the Sen
ate will proceed To an inquiry touching the
purchase of one Of it's seats. If the Senate
requires further action than has been taken
bv the Ohio Republicans II will be interesting
and instructive to the country TO know what
its requirements can be.
THE MONEY INVOLVED.
If the sums named by the other Repre-
sentatvee as corrupty used to elect Mr..
Payne are not sufllcIe to secure an lnyestl-
cation, iubecomes important 10 know what
limit OF eXDenditnre must be reached in order
to establish "a prima facie case of sufficient
-trength TO insure an investigation. Il
has been publicly announced by
one senator who opposes in
vestigation that his opposition is based on
the fact that the money used to purchase Mr..
Payne's election was expended for caucus
votes and not for votes on the floor of the
aI.g,t a Hb..ff ff,a
dertake to investigate a cancus. II this po-
sition be adopted by the Senate 1t Will be to
proclaim that hereafter open purchase Of a
caucus nomination by money Will be no bar
10 uudisturbed occupation Of a seat in the SEN
ate of the United states.
PAYNE's NoN-PARTICIPATIoN.
Two other Senators have dec red that they
oppose the vest,gation because it does not
appear that Mr.. Payne was a party to the
corrupt use or money. THIS, in other words,
is to declare that a mans agents, including his
nearest relatives, may go among the members
of a state Legislature with a supply Of
xrcenbacks aud buy SenaJorrhip with "a,
much freedom AS he would purchase
family supply OF coal or provisions in mar
Finally, in adding our request for an inves-
tigatiOn tO the many already before the Sem
ate and committee, we express the hope that
ONO RepuO leans may receive that consider
alton winch is justly due to the grave charges
which they make and which we fully indorse.
and that the Senate will not fail to
see that its good name is involved
in the question presented for Its decision.
M. HALsTEAD,
COmmercl al Gazette,
W. S. CAPELLER,
Mansfield News,
CHARLES +. BALDWIN,
Mt. Vernon Republican,,
j. p. TREAT,
Geneva Times,
l.. HIRsCH.
ohio sontaa gst,
ID. A. BUDD.
Ohio Tribune,
JOHN HoPLEY.
Euryrus journal,
Committee on KesOlu ions.
The report is signed also by each OF the
10 editors in attendance. Other editors
by telegraph asked that their names be
signed to the resolution and memorial.
The reports Of the committee were
unanimously adopted, after which per-
manent organization was effected by the
adoption Of a constitution and the elec-
zion OF the following officers:
President, James NJ Comfy, OF the Toledo
Commercial; Vice President, Il. S. Will
son, OF the lronton Register; Secretary, ).
J Fhckinger, OF the OHIO State journal;
Treasurer, r. g. Reynolds, Of the Akron
Beacon. An executive committee was
elected consisting Of j. NJ. Comfy, ex-
oflicio; M. Halstead, W. 4. Capeller, Q. NJ.
Nichols and G.. r. Baldwin. After the
convention had adjourned the editors
called on Gov. Foraker in a body. The
Governor made speech in which he In.