St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-19
JlNGLE Uf GULD,
Senator Wards Bribery Reso-
lutions Kick UP a Muss OF
Large Proportions.
The Senator Carefully Ex-
plains His Position in Re-
gard to the Charges.
The Purity Of Republican Cau-
Gus Rule Is Said to Be in
Danger.
Washburn Men Scout the Ac-
eusa1ionS and Call Them
Slanderous.
Senator Sabin Taking No
Stand ip the Matter One
Way or the Other.
Opinions Differ as to Whether
There Will Be a Serious
Explosion.


The post-eaucus interest and excite
ment have centercd upon Senator
Wards resolution introduced into the
senate yesterday, calling upon the
president cf that body to appoint COM
mittee of three to invt stigate the al
legged bribery of members of that eau
Gus to vote for a certain candl-
date. This certain candidate is.
of course, Gen. Washburn. and
the charges, while emanatlng from
a friend of Senator Sabin, are in
Senator Wards own language. "Not
an attack by Senator Sabin or through
his instigation, but an effort upon the
part of free Republicans to unmask ac-
tionS hostile to the existence of the
party and the purity of its caucus sys-
TEN. If it is true that money was used
to gain votes for candidate in that con-
vention, it is the duty of the senate and
house to uncover the deed and save
itself from the shame of countenanclng
bribe-takerS."
#xx
Notwithstanding the apparent una
himity of the caucus, the grand old
w
absolute certainty that the nominee of
the caucus will be elected next Tues
day. Considerable comment has been
created by the fact that the president OF
the senate did not Immediately appoint
the committee in order that the investi-
cation might proceed at once. A GLOBE
reporter called upon Senator Ward
after the adjournment to learn the basis
he had for Offering the resolution,
In NJ ff.,.
the resolution as a mere matter OF bun
combe, or because he was personally
dissatisfied with the result. He had re-
ceived statements from reliable men
which left no doubt in his mind that
improper and corrupt means were re-
sorted to, and if that was proven to be
the case, the caucus was without bind
ing effect. He believed it was due the
party with which he had been con-
nected from its organization to have
such charges as were made proven
or disproven. If the nomination was
secured by honorable means. no one
result, but if bribery was resofted to, it
absolved every member of the caucus.
THE election of United States sena-
tor,n he said, twas the province of the
legislature and not of caucus, and eS-
pecially if caucus was controlled by
corrupt means, as | believe, and have
reason to believe the caucus of Thurs
day night was. The committee
is not yet appointed. but when it is |
believe there will he no lack of evidence
forthcoming, and until that committee
has made its report the legislature
should refuse to make an election. If
all is right and and honorable, a few
days delay will do no harm. and it is
due the good name of the Republican
party that no man should be elected
who is opehly charged with having Sc
cured his nomination by corrupt means.
The friends of Mr.. Washburn, if
all has been honorable. should be
the most active in pressing this investi-
CATION. Objections on their part can
have only one construction placed upon
their course. They have the prestige of
q caucus nomination, and now they
should seek the prestige of proving that
the charges made are untrue. l feel
that it is dHe them to give them this op-
portunity, and | shall cheerfully do
whatever can to enable them to dis
prove the serious charges which have
been made against their campaign
methods. Beyond this do not care to
/ Speak at present"
Gen. Washburn left st. Paul early
yesterday morning, and some time be-
fore Senator Wards resolution was
public property. His legislative friends.
though, met the charges in two WAYS
one sat particularly defiant as to the
accusations; the other seriously
alarmed and afraid that the 81 votes
of Thursday night would not be supple
mented by rs votes on Tuesday. Alvah
Eastman. speaking as a close friend of
the general, said:
"TheSe charges are rather late, and
can hardly bear fruit even if true,
which | most certainly do not believe
them to be. The choice of the caucus
lay between Washburn and Sabin, and
more of the members preferred the
Washburn, and he certainly was not
bribed, nor was anyone else in my opin-
ion."
Mr.. Donnellv was silent and mOrOse.
He would neither assert nor deny that
money was used. He had not received
all of the votes pledged to him, but de-
cined to say what had induced them to
desert. Senator Sabin was mum also
on this point, but turned to blue-look-
ing friend with the remark:
"Why don't you whistle? That's the
way to take these things"
To another friend whose tears began
TO flow when he took his hand, he said,
with an arm around his neck, "Come,
old fellow, don't take on SO. You feel
worse than | do"
Senator Buckman had heard of the
use of money and considered that the
absolute proof of it would warrant the
notification of any caucus, but beyond
that he was silent. Representative
Flynn was as clOse-mOuthed as clam.
''Yes, know that the use of money
Is alleged. but" and there he ended.
Charley Gilman had heard of the use of
money to buy votes. but would not say
how well founded his information was.
Senator Edwards considered the charges
to be baseless and certain to fall to
pieces.
Out of all this i1le talk and hints one
thing was let drop by member of the
house in the hearing of the GLOBE:
There were two men whose votes
were purchased, and two more are sus-