St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-19
BRIBERY INVESTIGATIONS.

We do not like to speak in an undig-
nified way of the conduct OF dignilied
body, but we are constrained to say that
in our opinion the action of the state
senate in passing resolution for a
Special committee to Investigate
charges of bribery is the veriest
bosh. Nothing will ever come of. it.
Nothing ever does come of these inves-
legations. The singular part of it is in
this instance that the senate should
have ordered an investigation in adj
vance of any specific charge of bribery.
There are those around the lobbies.
and on the outside of the capitol, as is
always the case after heated political
contest, who talk about bribery. Some
times they talk intelligently. and it is
possible they are doing so now. But no
one had appeared before the legislature
with any specific charge; and so far as
that body is concerned, there is abso-
lutely nothing upon which to base an
investigation. Still, it has been Or
dered: and having been ordered. we
hope that, for the sake of the dignity and
reputation of the senate, and in the
name of common honesty, the inyesti-
CATION will be as thorough and searching
as it is possible to make it.
In view of the fact that offices of dis
tinetion are only attainabie by men OF
wealth, it becomes matter of public in
terest to know in what particular
money becomes the determining factor.
Charges of bribery are constantly made
and as constantly denied and refuted.
Delegates to nominating conventions
and members of legislative bodies who
sometimes fall under the suspicion OF
being bribe-takers rise in their places
and assert their innocence. Invariably
their accuSerS fail to turn up with the
proof of their accusations. and thus the
public is bound to accept the innocency
of the accused parties. Ii the money
does not go into the pockets of those
who have votes and whose votes are
necessary to a nomination or an elec-
ton, it becomes matter OF public in
terest to know in what way money is
made potential factor il elections, or
to know whether it is an Important
factor at all or not. 1t may be just
a singular coincidence that wealth
and success in seeking official station go
together The same star of luck which
brings riches to a man may be the happy
influence which crowns him with sue
cess in office-seelling. If this be true.
the public wants to know it. All these
matters are subjects Of legitimate in
quiry and investigation by the CON-
mittee which the senate approved yes
terday, and we hope the members of the
investigating commission will give their
attention to it.
We have no idea that anything will
be brought out by the investigation that
will in any wise involve or compromise
any of the distinguished gentlemen who
figured in the recent senatorial contest.
All of them are supposed to be honor
able men, who are above resorting to
corrupt Influences in seeking an election
to even so high a position as a seat in
the United States senate. But, from
the fact that it happened in this in
stance. as it usually happens, the con
testant with the biggest pocketbook got
there, the people of the state would be
gratifed to have an explanation from
the legislature of the relations which
exist between wealth and officeholding
in these latter days.