The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-03-27
The Attempted Bribery Case.

PETER N. COOK, of Shiawassee.
The Attempted Bribery Case.
Shiawassee county, politically, has col
tinued the even tenor of its way, and n
great sensation caused by bribery or polit
cal crimes have ever been connected wit
us. However il was reserved for "a news
paper man to be charged with an attempt L
change the political complexion OF legisla
ton by an offer of money to the patroi
and democratic senator from the twelfth
district. THE TIMES regrets tina
the circumstances are as they are
Nothing however is to be gained by equivo
cation or by attempting to make the worse
appear the better. A careful analysis OF
the situation is that Wilcox makes the most
specific statements of times, places and cir
cumstances where and when G. w. Owen
approached him. There is that persistency
about these repeated interviews that dis
credits Owens theory of just mentioning in
casual way that there was money in 1t for
somebody. In front of Lawrence's store in
this city after the election, Owen presents
The scheme to Senator Wilcox. Wilcox
goes into the store and with the greatest in
junction of secrecy, tells Lawrence of the
proposal. Wilcox and Owen are old neigh
bors land the probabilities are that Owen
supported Wilcox covertly thu. last days of
the campaign). Would Wilcox seize this
opportunity after election to stab his neigh
Dor, if Owen had merely suggested some
innocent pleasantly regarding money? Will
cox refused to go farther than merely pro-
tect himself by informing his friends, and
would not lead Owen on to betray him in
the end, and until it was ascertained by
other means, Wilcox never connected
Owens name with the proposal
Now can it be presumed that Wilcox
was attempting to lay trap for political
purposes and to ensnare Owen? The scheme
would never have been unearthed had 1t not
beeen for circumstances that drove Wilcox
out of the democratic party and the friends
he had confided to refused longer to keep
the secret These then are the circum-
stances that must lead to the conclusion that
Wilcox never sought to betray neighbor of
nominally opposite political faith for mere
political effect.
Another feature of the case for consider
alton, was Wilcox mistaken in what Owen
meant? 1t is possible to assume that in one
of series of conversations there might be
misinterpretati0n, but when the same tenor
follows in each instance, at the first and at
subsequent interviews, 1t is impossible to
believe that Wilcox could have been mis-
taken. Owen made no less than a half
dozen attempts 10 secure Wilcox in this
matter. He was interested i'm no legislation |
and i'm his interview with the Evening News |
claims he had private business with Wilcox, |
yet does not nor will not disclose the nature |
Of the private business, and Wilcox says |
they had no private business. The attitude |
Of Wilcox during the early portion of the |
session seemed to have discouraged Owen,
but later, when the unseating of Morse and
Horton changed WilcOx's attitude, Owen
renews the attempts and goes oyer to Will
cox's home at Corunna, for what purpose?
Owen says social visit; Wilcox says that
Owen said, There is money IN it for both
of U.s.? Are the repeated visits of Owen
purposeless? Does he go each time to
Corunna, to Lansing and invite Wilcox to
his Office for nothing? That Owen had
money on his mind is known, for he NELL
toned to two leading men in OwossO on
different occasions that there was money i'm
it for somebody, that is the present control
of the senate, and about month later said
10 another citizen that Wilcox was man
that could not he bought. How did Owen
know? Had he been making an offer to
Wilcox, that was refused?
Owen has permitted himself to be inter
viewed and has made such admissions as
practically cover the charges made by
Wilcox, except the actual proposals for
money and this is partially admitted. When
the senate committee investigates the
charges, on certain points there will be a
direct contradiction between Owen and
Wilcox. The question will then turn on the
veracity of the two men and the antecedents
of each. The political vacllations of Owen
have notalways been explained satisfactorily
nor has he consistently supported the party
ticket. The attempt to bride is states
prison offense and for a man to attempt
crime for money is disgrace to the party,
aud no attempt to palliate or belittle the
matter will avail. The parties implicated
owe il to themselves to court the fullest in
vcstigation. Then if it shall appear that
there were no corrupt practices, The
TIMES will most cheerfully make amends.
If otherwise, the disgrace and odium that is
brought about can only be atoned for by
reputation of bribers and punish
ment of bribery.
The proposition has been made and re-
ceived favorably, that all state, agricultural
and stock fairs be omitted in 1898, and that