The Portland daily press., 1889-03-02

Lical SLTlk6F III mdlu6 WAS dBdluot tnlo piAl.
When men who lived and moved and had
their being in politics simply because OF the
corrupt use OF money, were making such ef-
forts to defeat this bill. was 1t not time to ex-
anime into the circumstances and conditions
under which our elections take place. The
funds were gathered In from heaven knows
where, and never accounted for. coming in
quantities as no man knoweth of, for the ac-
counts are never audited; but 1t
comes comes abundant bun ,,.I as the the rain; ,hn;
within the last 20 years there has crept into
both parties vast corruption fund. and this
was growing larger each yearg
Continuing the speaker said: why gen
temen, 1t Is known that in 1880 the Repub-
lican party was swept away by a vast cor
ruption fund poured into Maine. Does any
one deny it? If had any Democratic coli
leagues on the floor of this Senate they
leagues will hardly deny that money has
been used since. believe, gentlemen, that
the State of Maine Is grandly and gloriOusly
Republican without cent Of corruption;
and believe that this money that is brought
into this State is used, not for the interest
of the party, but for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of
the machine that handles it.
"Why gentlemen, what an anomaly that
party that sprang forty years ago from
the hearts Of the people should ever for a
moment set up position that would even
lead to the suspicion that it relies an atom
upon corruption to influence the heart Of
the peoplei Why, gentlemen, that the Re-
publican party Of Maine, with IT'S glorious
record, should for a moment stand in the
way of a measure that is intended to dimin-
ish the corrupt use of money is an anomaly
which seems inexplicable to me.
Gentlemen. may have spoken earnestly.
But, gentlemen, am pleading with you that
you will give us such system OF voting in
this State so that no man hereafter shall
have the opportunity TO rise on public plat
form and say with the slightest color of
truth that there Is an alliance between the
machine that handles the money in this
State and the corrupt violations of the liquor
law. in our cities. Yet such charge stands
against us. 1t has never been tried out. The
testimony has not been heard. l do not say
for moment that there ever has been an al
lance between the Republican patty of
Maine and the saloons, for thank God the
machine Is not the party. For gen
tlemen, there are $4,000 organized Repub
licans of Maine, who are absolutely untaint-
BILE for the acts of the organized brigands
who have entrenched themselves within the
party by the corrupt use of money.
"Mr. President, give to the cities Of this
State the opportunity to be Republican in
politics, give them chance to shake OFF the
rule that is driving the Republican party
over the precipice of destruction, to shake
off those who have entrenched themselves
by the gold which they are using"
Mr.. WrIght's Reply.
The Senate adjourned Immediately after
Mr.. Heath's speech, and in the afternoon
when it assembled again Mr.. Wright of Ok
ford, replied. The first part of his speech
he devoted to an analysis of the bill and to
criticism of its provisions. He argued
against it-all the arguments which have
been brought up-clothing his objections in
interesting form that held his hearers close
attention. Then he proceeded to speak
of certain parts of Mr. Heath's speech.
He said he would not deny that
there Is money used in this State, in cleo
tiOns, but believe it is used for legitimate
purposes. And do not believe it Is used
for corrupt purposes in such a way as the
gentleman from Kennebec charges. Nor do
i agree with him in his slurs upon the pOliti-
clans. We are all politicians, or we all
should be. / do not believe money Is used,
corruptly used, in our elections. This cry
usually comes after heated elections, and
from the disorded brains Of the members Of
the defeated party. The arraignment of the
Republican party by the. gentleman from
Kennebec in denouncing the managers and
workers of that party as "brigands and rob-
bers, Is not only dscredita6,e to one pos
ters the words, but is disgrace to the nails
OF legislation.
Now as to the leaders of the Republican
party. Have they not been the hOnored men
of tie party9 few years ago the old Dem
ocratlc party was In power. 1t was corrupt.
And there was pure, highminded man who
broke away from that party and led large
bolt TO the Republican party. Now, If there
De tnat corruption In the Republican party
that the gentleman from Augusta charges, he
should be the Moses to lead another revolt.
But there is no such corruption as Is charg-
ed. have been member of the State and
OF the town committees. l do not deny that
money has been used in elections;
huf far a G hQVQ knoWn IL
has been used for legitimate purposes, for
speakers, and bands, and in bringing the
voters home. ! admit that have not lived
in the cities; but / doubt If corruption is so
rife there as is charged. But evenif it were,
l doubt if the provisions of this bill are
such as to cure such evils if they exist
L might, gentlemen. go on to rehearse the
glories Of the Republican party, but need
ish without any such legislation, and / do
not favor the passage Of this bill.
Senator Ryder's Speech.
Senator Ryder of Penobscot said he would
agree that this was one of the most impor-
tant measures that would come before the
legislature this winter. In place of the
time -honored election methods of this State,
there was to be substituted cumbersome
and complicated system. Not practical
man appeared at the hearing to advocate
this bill. There was no reason given. no
testimony to show that the bill was practi-
cal measure. Neither were there any petit
tions to show that this particular system
was desired. The gentlemen who appeared
dealt in generalities merely. They made
the usual charges Of bribery and corruption;
but not one word of proof did they give. 1t
had been charged that pressure was brought
to bear upon the majority of the committee
to cause them to report against the measure.
Mr.. Ryder denied this. He did plead guilty
to the charge of conservatism, and thought
that conservatism was needed. The Senator
from Kennebec had made general charges Of
corruption, but had not substantlated them.
The gentleman from Augusta had said that
the newspapers of the Republican party
were for this bill; but there were two excep-
tions. Mr.. Ryder eulogizel the Bangor
Whig and Congressman Boutelle, recounting
their services In the count out" days. Mr..
Ryder said this bill was an experiment.
Why not wait for the result of the expert
ment in Massachusetts? II it worked well
there, then there would be time to adopt il
here.
Mr.. CoIIins's Speech.
Mr.. Collins of Aroostook. said that al
though corruption might exist, as it did ex-
ist in every party, he believed the Republi-
can party was the best and and purest of all
parties. Corruption there undoubtedly was
III SOme pldceS, Dut ne ulu not see IN Wnat
way this bill would remedy it. Senator Col
lins thought the Senator of Kennebec had
showed that he was suffering from disap-
pointment and envy. He thought the gen
tleman had no right to make the attack he
had upon the grand old Republican party.
Senator Collins's remarks amounted to
personal attack upon Senator Heath and to
an impeachment of the latter's motives.
Mr.. Heath's ReJoInder.
Mr. Heath's reply was calm, and
in measure that nothing else
could possibly have done served to allay re-
sentiment that had arisen from remarks
made in the forenoon speech, 1t was idle,
he said, for the gentlemen to carry the ques-
tion away from the real issue. There was
no question as to Republicanism involved
in the debate. The Senator from Aroos-
took was in error if he supposed that some
things said in reference to men who
had clutched power within the party were
said against the party For the Republica
party, in its greatness and grandeur, Mr..
Heath had only sentiments of the greatest
reverence and attachment. Continuing, he