The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-01-23
HOW DUDLEY IRIUMPHED

This whole Senate proceeding on the
Dudley resolution forms altogether about
as sorry chapter in the bribery scandal
as any that has been written. 1t appears
that, on the morning following the day
in which Senator VOORHEES, had introduce
ed his resolution asking from the attor-
general information as to Chambers's
action in averting Dudley's arrest,-Wil
liam Henry Harrison Miller himself went
to the capitol building and called Senator
Edmunds from the room of the commit
tee on foreign relations. Mr.. Edmunds
was to reply to Mr.. Voorhees, that day in
the Senate, on the resolution in question
and the supposition was warranted that
Acknowledgement Miller had conferred
with Mr.. Edmunds on the subject.
Voorhees, charged as much in his speech,
and even said that Mr.. Miller had been
seen giving the Vermont senator notes for
use in the debate Mr.. Edmunds made
nc reply to this damaging assertion.
Subsequent developments went to
prove the collision of the attorney-gen
eral with the senator, who was to lead
the administration party in the discus
sion to follow. Mr.. Vooheess resolution
not only directed the encouragement to
inform the Senate what instructions, if
any, had been given the district attorney
at Indianapolis by the department of
justice, but also state Shy what lawful
authority the said Chambers, whether
acting under instructions or not, was en-
titled to prevent the arrest of SAID Dud-
ley or any one else charged with crime in
due form of law" 1t will be seen that
this clause was the vital part of the re-
solution. We could hardly suppose the
department of justice had been SO care
less as to issue official instructions to
Chambers; an answer to the first question
would, therefore, have been an easy
matter, carrying harm to no party in in
terest. But the latter question would
have called for an explanation of the
action of Chambers, and compelled the
department to commit itself on the SUBJ
lect at issue. Hence, doubtless, the
attorney generals haste in getting to the
capitol building last week to instruct
Senator Edmunds in what must be DONE
The latter consequently worked to have
the resolution amended by, striking out
the last clause, and all the republican
senators SO voted. When asked to ex-
plain, Mr.. Edmunds said the Senate had
Il right to question head of depart
mant as to the acts of subordinate
had no right to ask after the official con-
duct of an officer whose appointment had
been based upon the advice and consent
of the Senate
Having thus secured the emascglation
o. the resolution as desired, Attorney
General Miller hastened back to his de-
partment, and hardly were the Senate
doors opened the next morning before
his reply had been received, and was of
course to the effect that no instructions
had been given Chambers to prevent
Dudley's arrest.
SO ended the disgraceful performance
It has been many years since the nation
was treated to the spectacle of a cabinet
officer lobbying persona y in this conspicu-
oas manner to influence the action Of the
legislative branch of the government,
whose complete independence of the exc
cutive branch is an essential feature of
our system, Why should Attorne y-Gen-
eral Miller seek to avoid reply as to
what lawful authority his subordinate,
Chambers, had in preventing Dudley's
arrest in the due process of the law?
Why should he hang around the Senate
chamber and attempt to influence the
action of that body in framing the ques-
tons ne must answer?
This unconstitutional and undignifed
performance OF the attorLey-general,a aid
ed as it is by the republicans of the SEN
ate, will not help to relieve the admins
tration and the party in power of the
public suspicion of completely in Dud-
ley's crime. But the question has as
sumed too great Importance to be avoided
or ignored or quibbled over in the man
ner exhibited in last weeks debate in the
Senate. Dudley's crime was reasonable
in its effects upon the state, and be has
rendered himself liable to punishment
under the laws. We do not believe it can
now be crowded out of sight. 1t is for
republicans to decide whether the party
shall be made plaintiff or defendant in
the case. The same choice Of positions
was presented the party in connection
with the whiskey ring scandals. These
were disgraceful affairs, and their ex-
posure. too, came close to the White
the administration at that time. Con-
trast Benjamin FL. Bristow's strenuous
energy. taking no regard to the possible
involvments of President Grants friends,
but bound to Get the rascals in jail
H. H. Miller, in the lobby OF tie Senate
making his arrangements for such a ques-
ton as would allow him to sneak out OF
his duty IN respect to the shameful be-
havior of his subordinate would not
in any way tend to endanger a corrupter
of the elective franchise and a destroyer
of free government The republican
party cannot afford to-day any more than
it could in that day to assume the de-
Tense of thieves and bribers.-Springield
Republican.
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