St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-22
DOODLE
A Senator offered $4,000 to
Stay at Home.

Stay at Home.
Bang! 1t was as if bombshell had
burst in the senate. The eyes of the
senators were turned to the gentleman
from Blue Earth. II RISE" said Sena-
tor Pope. ''to question of privilege,
and ask the reading Of this slip, cut
from the GLOBE of this morning."
Secretary Cutter read an article from
the GLOBE, in which it was inferred
that Doodle had been extensively used
among senators to secure the passage
of the Duluth & Winnipeg land bill.
Senator Pope continued: 81 have
read in the papers and heard on this
floor last night that was talking against
time. If time is money and the quo
tation we have heard is true, was
talking against money, and for such
talk L offer no apology. l trust | shall
always be found talking against the
corruptlng influences IF money used in
buying votes in this senate. The story
is not all told in the paper we have
heard. L will state that a member of
night that the senator from his district
received the large sum of $4,000 or
$4,000 for his vote against the bill. A
senator, who voted for the bill, told me
that he was offered $4,000 to
absent himself and lose his
vote; and these are specimens of
current rumors. Now the question
seems to me to be not Are there those
here who sell their votes?' but Are
there any here who do not sell their
votes?' If such there be. and claim to
be one, it is due to the past with it's
memories, the present with its oppor-
tunities, and the future with its posi-
bilities, to the state we serve, the con-
stituents we represent, the homes and
families we love and cherish, and to
ourselves, that the matter be investi-
gated and the truth brought to light.
Will those who from honest motives
voted against that bill, for [ believe
there are such, join in an honest effort
to uncover this alleged corruption and
bring the truth to the surface? Dare
we neglect to act. Dare we take such
action?''
Though Senator Pope plainly indi-
Gated the action the senate should take.
for some reason or other he did not see
fit to lead, and in towering rage Sen
ator Clark took the floor. did [ UNI
derstand the senator to say that the
senators who voted against the bill yes
terday had been bought up?"
Senator Pope is byWord for his cool
Indifference, and his reply beftted the
man: 81 don't know what you under
stood, but, if it is necessary, l can re-
peat my statement"
Senator Clark unheeded the offer, and
remarked that these Doodle allegations
came with very poor grace from Senator
Pope. There was something like So
100000 involved in the passage of the
Duluth d Winnipeg land forfeiture bill,
and because senators voted against the
bill, believing they were acting in the
best interests of the people, it was poor
grace on the part of the opposition to
charge them with taking brides. Sena-
tor Clark Numbered out these words,
and when he sat down there was a
momentary lull. The stiffness was
painful: when Senator Ward broke in !:
whats the question before the h0uSeW
''There is no question or motion be-
fore the house," was the reply of PreSi-
dent Rice. Senator Pope chung to his
seat, and there being no attempt on the
part of other senators to disturb the
muddy waters, the usual routine grind
of the chamber recommended.
The Doodle charges were the sole topic
of Legislators during the day. Senator
Pope privately expressed that it was in
the interests of the fair fame of the
senate that an investigation should be
held. IF it proved that any of these
fellows have taken brides, let them be
sent to Saltwater" Senator Pope was
asked to give the name of the senator
refusing the $4,000, but this he de-
clined, though he stated his willingness
to do so before an investigation commit
tee. He did not think the charges
would be investigated.
''Why?"
Because the senate will not agree
to it."
1t is questionable whether the senate
can afford to do this. With charges
publicly made on the floor of the senate
and in the public press, not to mention
the wholesale charges with which the
air of the legislative halls and hotel
Hobbies are redolent, it would appear
that senators must take some action to
clear themselves from the foul asper-
sions cast upon them.