The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-23
WHERE THE DISGRACE FALLS.
Calkins, Briber Clarke and Mr.. Metcalf
in an Unenyiable Position.

SPOKANE SPOKESMAN.
Three men are placed in an unenviable posi-
ton this morning. They are W. II. Calkins, H.
L. Clarke and Representative etcalf, of Stevens
county. The first is under suspicion of having
instigated bribery for selfish purposes, the sec
ond 10 accused of attempting bribery for politi
cal reasons, and the third is bribe-taker for
purposes OF betrayal These men will be viewed
in different lights by different men.
Politicians friendly to Calkins will In public
strongly maintain his innocence, and in their
secret hearts will animadvert in strong language
upon the stupidity which permitted daylight to
be let in upon his scheme. 1t is sorry fact that
among the majority of politicians he and his
managers will be blamed not so much for at
tempting bribery as for having made the at
tempt so clumsily that scandal resulted. The
political enemies OF Calkins, on the other hand
will insist that he is guilty and that the extent
OF his guilty can never be known unless a spasm
OF virtue should bring all of his supporters to
confession. The people meantime must hold
their verdict in suspense, and wait until the &C.
cused have had full hearing, and the aceuser's
word has been subjected to every possible test.
AS for Mr.. Clarke, he is a Spokane man. lie
is well known here among the politicians and
In business circles. The Spokesman will not un-
dertake to judge between him and his accuser,
for ut present there is fiat contradiction be-
tween their testimony, and neither is supported
by evidence-s50o worth of crisp bank notes be-
ing excepted Mr. Clarke is entitled to fun
hearing before he is condemned, and his record
as man and politician has to be pitted against
that of the stevens county representative.
AS for Metcalf, his part in the business will
be judged from many different points of
view. Moralists, who believe that the
means justify the end, will approve his
course They will say that by tacitly appear
ing TO abet a fraud he was enabled to
kill it, and that his motives were pure, his
We mi Rut lie il tt>n
view that politicians will take of his conduct
Many of the men whose political hopes and am
bitions were aided by him yesterday will today
regard him with half-concealed suspicion, dis
trust and dislike. By politicians he win be
classed henceforth as dangerous" man His
political aspirations, therefore, unless the peo-
pie are drawn to his support without regard to
the wishes OF politicians, are certainly doomed
TO disappointment. The peoples opinion of
him depends on many circumstances 1t is an
unpleasant subject, and the Spokesman does not
feel called upon at present to attempt an anal
ysis OF il.
The most unpleasant feature of this whole af-
fair remains to be mentioned. II concerns the
whole people of the state. There may be doubt
about Mr.. Clarkes guilt Judge Caikins may be
innocent Mr. Metcalf may be proved to be a
liar Bat in any event the state OF Washington
is disgraced in the eyes of the nation There is
no way Of escaping the dilemma. II Clarke is
innocent. then member of the legislature of
the state Of Washington is a contemplate liar.
Ii Mr.. Metralf tails the truth then the presump-
fiou is almost overwhelming that one of the
states most prominent citizens, and strong
candidate for United States senator. has been
corrupt aud desperate enough to try with money
70 induce the peoples representative TO betray
confronts ;he people of Washington this morn
ing, and shere is poison on both horns