New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-13
ROACH'S RECORD SHIELDED.
SENATORS REFUSE 10 ALLOW
AN INQUIRY.
rur1R ALARM AT THE IDEA OF BROADENING THE
iNvEST1GATIoN-A REPUBLICAN rREC
EpENr THE OTHER WAY.

,NvEsr1GAT1oN--A REPUBLICAN PREC-
EDENr THE OTHER WAY.
fsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
Washington April 1.-the Democratic Senators
have been forced at last cast aside the last shred
n disguise and boldly declare they will not allow
Investigation made in regard to the record and
character Of one Of their own number, who is a
..If. confessed embezzler This was stretching
The "courtesy of the Senate" TO the
oxtrcme OF tension, but with the aid OF
,.rtv caucus this morning It DONE This Demo
cratic caucus solemnly resolved not TO allow Senate
committee to inquire whether the senate has right
IN INQUIRE into the record or character OF Senator
or,or TO his election TO that body.
Yesterday the Democratic Senators were brave
.nough 10 face a discussion In executive session and
to proclaim behind locked doors their alternative
accumulation TO broaden the scope Of the proposed
Roach investigation so as to Include several Repub
ucsn Senators. This "bluf' was promptly met
that they seem to have been thrown into panic;
,b.v appeared to fear that other Democratic Senator's
than Roach might be in danger II that sort OF game
should be begun. Some Of them may have felt as
uneasy on their own account II years ago they
had been propretors promoters Of gift enterprises
in which parcels OF property belonging 10 themselves
had figured prizes for which, luckily for themselves
they had held the winning tickets Whatever may
have been the reason the fact is that the Democratic
senators In caucus solemny resolved - squelch The
expose the alleged turpitude Of Senators Powers
Quay and MITCHELL
This action was in striking. not to say disagreeabe
contrast the action OF the Republican majority In
the House Of Representatives In the XLlst Congress
1, Is not impernent here 10 recall the whittemore
case. Mr.. Whittemore was a Republican Representa-
tive from the State of south Carolina. who was re.
ported by a committee Of the House 70 be guilty OF
having sold . cadetshlp and who anticipated anu e.
capped expulsion by offering and procuring the ac-
ccptance OF his resignation by the Governor OF that
state before the House could act. He was strong
man. and one who was so popular at nome mat he
was reelected to Congress by q large majority.
After his second election some OF his friends came
10 Washington and implored General Logan. who was
then chairman Of the Committee on Elections OF lhe
House. and other members to interposs no objection
10 his taking Of the seat TO which he had been elected
with full knowledge Of his previous misdoings. IL is
hardly necessary TO say that General Logan ana his
Republican colleagues Indignantly repealed these over
lures despite the fact that the same argument was
used In Whttemore's behalf-that his dishonest act
annotated his eccon--which now appears 10 control
Democratic Senators in behalf Of Mr.. Roach. Mr..
Whlttemore was undismayed and unabashed, however.
and to Washington with his credentials and de-
handed q seat in the House Of Representatives, His
credentials were referred to the Committee on Elec
TONS which unanimously reported against him and
BY which virtually unanimous a Republi'
can House OF Representatives confirmed the report.
Perhaps no precedent DO found which fits the
Roach case better than this; certainly none can be
discovered which exhibits more clearly the contrast
between the moral standard OF Republican majority
and Democratic majority in a legislative body: or
is quite aside from the question and utterly
Experiment TO suggest that the cnse arose On
the House Of Representatives and that the other has
arisen In the Senate OF the United States
1t probably too much to expect under the cir
cumstances that the Democratic majority in the Senate
would permit investigation OF the Roach case. lie
is understood TO be bitterly opposed TO such action
he naturally would be- and hs party associate who
a.
stand by him. Some OF them apparently have not
stopped to think what their acton in the matter
signifies. They may be induced 10 do 80 before the
debate which Is TO be provoked by the resolution
TO he reported from the Democratic caucus shall come
to an end. That debate must come in open session,
for the ostrich tactics OF the Democrats will not be
allowed longer to prevail. and Republican Senators
determined that the country shall be allowed TO
know why they have cOntended for this investigation