Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-04-04

Mr.. RICHARD SMITH, in the CHciR-
natl Commercial of Sunday, has the fol-
lowing striking article on the rejection
bv the senate of the editor chief of
that paper. TO be Minister to Germany:
1t is proper to say right here that Mr.
Halstead is not on deck, and has not
been consulted in regard to this matter.
He is. therefore, in no way responsible
for these remarks.
His appointment as Minister to Ger
many was rejected, not because of his
unfitness for the place, for that question
never was and never could be raised. He
was rejected because, as an editor, he
honestly criticised the methods by which
men were elected to the L. 5. Senate.
The origin of this matter was the elec-
ton of Henry B. Payne. This was not
A Republican contest, but Democratic
fight. Geo. H. Pendleton was the known
Democratic candidate in Ohio. The
Legislature was chosen with reference
to his election. When the Legislature
had been chosen, Payne, with his money
backing, appeared in the field. He
bought Pendleton'S men, and was elect
ed. Everybody knew that then, and ev-
ervbodv knows it now. There is not an
intelligent man in Ohio who does moi
believe and does not know that Payne
was elected by fraud.
The subsequent Legislature was Re-
publican, through the defeat of the
most gigantic frauds ever undertaken in
anv State upon the elective franchise
An Indictment was framed, and the L
5. Senate was asked to inquire into the
methods of Payne's election. This be-
came a party measure. 1t was sustain
ed by the Republican press. 1t had the
sympathy of the best part of the Demo
Gratis of Ohio. 1t went to the U. ). Sen
ate. There it encountered the oposi-
ton of Republicans who were in the
same boat with Payne-of men who
disgraced their seats then, as they do
now, and the investigation was defeated
Had PAYNE been conscious of innocence
had he felt that he was honestly elect
ed-he would have quickly demanded
an investigation. This he took care not
to dc. He knew perfectly well he could
not afford that Heappealed instead to
that thing called Senatorial courtesy
and he found Republicans who had been
elected as he waS-by fraud. These
Joined with him. They could not help
it. They were plainly threatened that
if Payne should be investigated the
matter would not stop there. Rascals
are natural towards. The Senators who
are there by fraud are towards. They
Joined hands with Payne, and there was
no investigation. The very thing that
an honest man would have demanded
was defeated by the votes of men who
owe their seats in the Senate to the use
of money.
What the Commercial Gazette said in
the whole controversy was the truth. II
was the truth when it was written. II
is the truth now. Perhaps it was rough.
" expressed, but it was the truth all the
same.
For this Mr.. Halstead was defeated
and for no other reason. There was nc
pretenee of objection to him on the
ground of fitness. He was rejected
by Senatorial frauds because he had the
courage of his convictions, and was not
afraid to tell the truth. The result
therefore, cannot hurt him, but it is
bound to hurt guilty Senators. Per
haps, too, it may lead to line of thought
that is already flowing along, that will
abolish the L. S. Senate altogether, with
its star chamber proceedings, or compel
change in the methods of election that
will bring that body closer to the peo-
ple and force its members outside of the
money influence. The people would be
startled to know how many seats in the
L. S. Senate were bought with money,
and how many seats are therefore dis
graced. This business cannot last. The
people will not tolerate it. This kind
of corruption must be wiped out.
PAYNE thinks the defeat of Halstead
has indicated him. This is bOsh. To
do that would require the defeat of
nearly all the editors in Ohio and of such
Democrats as Allen G.. Thurman. But
he is not satisfied with this, and he pro-
poses, in order to further vindlcation,
to be candidate for reelection to the
U. S. Senate. He has right to do that.
We decidedly favor it. We dare him to
make that test, Appeal to the people
of Ohio and investigations will not be
stifed. The truth will be brought to
the front, and the people who can not
be bought will settle the corruptionists.
The issue for next tall has been made
in Ohio by Mr.. Payne. 1t cannot be
avoided. The defeat of Halstead was
the result of revenge. Now let the
people of Ohio demonstrate the folly of
revenge.