New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-16
THE PAYNE INVESTIGATION.
A STRONG CASE AGAINST THE SENATOR.

No CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF BRIBERY, But COR
RUPTION PLENTY IN HIS METHODS
CoIrMBUs. Ohio April 15 (SpecidD. The re-
mort OF the Payne Investigating Committee was made TO
the Ohio Of Representatives just Delore the hou
OF adjournment this afternoon 1t expected anu
aroused a lively interest among members VINO were
suffering from spring fever. The Republican members
of the committee, Messrs. Cowgirl Rawns and Tomp-
kins made the majority report which was read by the
clerk This Investigation was begun on January IL by
the appointment OF the committee 10 look
into the charges of bribery against David
Baker p Hunt, ". A. Schultz and George
w Zeisler members of the present House,
who we're accused of taking certain sums for casting
ther ballots for Senator Payne The report begins with
the follow ing history the Payne election: The con-
test preceding the election referred TO VIII douolieSs
pass into political history as being without paraiIei
in some OF its features The Democracy had majority
in each house OF the General Assembly. George ii.
Pendeton, man OF eminent distinction In his party
was the Senator from Ohio whose term would next eN
Miro and naturally lie was anxious to be his own sue
cessor General Durbin Ward, also prominent ana as
tinguishcd in the same party, was AMBITIOUS ~ oo
chosen to I'LL that high Office. They were the only can
dtiates publicly spoken of in their party prior ana lor
several subsequent TO the October election at
which members OF the Legislature were chosen some
time in the month following early III DeceESof Henry
b. Payne was announced as CANDIDATE aithough
he was generally believed to have retired severa
wears ago from active participation III politics.
His candidacy upon the party with force ana
character challenged the ability OF the friends or the
other candidates withstand There seemed to be some
thing in lis character calculated overawe them ana
to crush opposition Messengers wore found to be ira
versng in the interest of The candidacy OF Mr
Payne as the testimony shows Newspapers suddenly
changed position in his favor and avowed friends OF the
other candidates found to be waVerlh2 OF
to have deserted. This force continued to increase
in power aud when the time came 10
organize the General Assembly it seemed almost nope
less to attempt to combat it successfully. one wthess
compared 1t "a stone wall that you could not see
over or get around" Democratic member of that and
also of the present General Assembly testified tnat
members could resist the force of the lobby which
WAS here urging the claims of Payne although the sem
| timent of the party against him The pecuilar
strength Of his candidacy has not iuy eApenueu Hso
The report then goes on to say: The testimony al
duced has been drawn largely from apparently unwi
ing witnesses who. doubtless because OF business soca
or political relations seemed reluctant to testify. Al
Though we find charge against the four members
this House Damcd IN the resolution mas hot peen Sus
taned, certain facts have been devoloped wcn we ne
leve to be of sufficient significance TO report 10 the
House. There Is general concurrence OF testimony upon
First, That the candidacy of Henry B. Payne for
| United States Senator was not made known pupley
until considerable tine after the general election Oh
1883. which members OF the General Assembly were
| chosen. 81, ,no o,,,ov
| ment OF illegal means to secure the election
Of successful candidates Tor senator were very pre-
election. and that In many Instances the suspicion
amour ted almost to conviction,
m irde-ILat IA 10 choice Of Senatorial candidates
| among members Of the General Assembly there were
numerous remarkable changes sufficient to account ior
wirhou assuming the OF universal inducements ;.
| The committee recommends thai an anhehucstets yea
cony of the report transmitted TO the President OF e
uIfed States for the information OF t9t pou!
! Ie Blond and Hubbard. the Democratic mcmpers pre-
sonfe minority rcport which essentially mairttlns
That there ia no direct evidence OF Dilhefy anu ihd
snch evidence should not be certified 10 by the Oleu
Pending discussion TO print the reports ana supSu
tnte the minority for the majority reports. recess wa
ti omorrow morning aud the matter will proOa
| bly be before the House all next week.