The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-03
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THE SHAME OF QUAY.

It is encouraging to see in some OF the
strongest and ablest republican news
papers signs of revolt from the low
standard Of public morals prevailing at
Washington. The terrible exposure OF
the rascality of Quay, the head OF the
republican national organization and
the leader Of his party in the senate, has
led to demand from some Of the more
conscientious organs Of the party 'nr an
explanation from him or his retirement.
The St. Louis Globe Democrat bluntly
calls upon Quay to sue his accusers for
libel or resign from the senate, and the
San Francisco Call, which foresees to
what consequences the present tenden-
cies of it's party will lead, thus reads
the riot act to Quay and his associates
in the senate:
Senator Quay is reported as ready to place
his resignation as chairman of the repub-
lican national committee in the hands of
the committee. Ii he can offer such q refu-
tation of the charges made against him as
will prove satisfactory to the committee his
resignation will not be accepted. Nothing
is said yet about the Office of United States
senator, to which he has recently been
elected. 1t is not supposable, however,
that Il man whose record units him for the
position of chairman of national commit
tee will hold on to the much higher Office of
United States senator. 1t is with pro-
found regret that we admit that the SEN
ate is not so scrupulous in regard to the
character of its members as it was at one
time. There are several senators who
are under strong suspicion of having
bought the votes that made them senators.
There are SO many under that suspicion
that charges are ignored, investigation
stifed. AS a body the senate dares not
let in the light upon the record of its mem
bers. Quay is not charged with having
bought his seat. Probably his position il,
the party secured nomination, and the
large republican majority in the Pennsyl.
vania legislature secured his election. The
charge against him is that he used the
states money in his private speculations
From a moral point of view there is not
much difference between the offense OF
which Senator Quay is charged and that OF
which several other senators are believed to
have been guilty. There has, however, been
greater tolerance of one offense than
the other. man who buys the votes that
make him senator has been excused on the
ground of political ambition. In point of
fact, however, the motive has not always
been political ambition. Men buy their
way into the senate sometimes to advance
their private interests or the interests of
corporations with which they are connected.
There will be clearance of these men from
the senate some of these days. 1t may
come with a breeze, gale, or whirlwind
If the offenders defy public opinion toe
long it will come with the whirlwind
There is limit to the forbearance of tn,
people and when aroused they will brinl
force enough to bear to eradicate the evil.
Such sentiments do credit to tn,
journal that utters them, but the part,
is apparently too far gone in its evi
course to be turned back except by tn,
stern discipline of defeat. Quay is a
good as the other senators who robbie,
the people of Montana, and they vii
60 down together before democratic
cyclone.