The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-25

question, but as . matter Of natfbnsl
honor. offered a resolution for % invssti-
CATION to- determine whether Ser ator
Roach did or did not steal $s4. 900 o. the
Citizens National bank of washirktcn
City. The proofs of Rosea's crime eke in
the treasury department, and yet sefator
Voorhees,. in defending k.oach, desc. bed
his crime as "a mistake" and Inquired
whether it was not orr duty to fosgivs
persons who make "mistasss." whef Mr..
Roach makes good the money he sto.:e. or
tries to make it good, he raay decently ask
for charitable acceptance of his fruits Of
the mood of repentance; but he has hevsr
paid one penny; never offered to psS one
penny; and even IL he sad shown, de-
sire and laudable ambition to make resti-
tuition. would that mare Mr.. Ro.ch .
proper person TO Sit in tho United States
senate and make laws Cor the peoplef
The Democratic proposition is Eat IL
was the duty of the country to forg1t that
Roach was aself-confessed embezzlek fugi-
tive from justice, who robbed . bank, ran
away and never offered 20 make Isstitu-
ton. To forgive . repentant or:unre-
pentant criminal il one thing. tosinsist
that be shall continue to be . member Of
the United States senate 10 quite aaother
thing. The Democratic majority rdsolved
that proper observance Of the doctfine OF
state sovereignty will MT allow item 70
look into . mans record after . Legislature
has duly certified to his atness by e,eeting
him. despite the fact thai the constitution
reposes in the senate the power to bs judge
of the elections, returss and Qvtsli6ca-
lions Of its members" ard, with ti(s con.
currence of two-thirds. tt. expel . member.
If Roach had not rua away te(escaps
conviction he would haze been arrested,
tried and convicted. AMI his corsiction
would have disfranchise1 him an. made
his occupation Of any office impfssible;
but his running away. his escap3 from
conviction, il regarded l:y the Democratic
majority as sinking his crime to the level
Of mistake" The faces are tina; Roach
did steal the money. did run; away.
has never made restitution, and yet the
Democratic majority has refused 20 allow
the passage of the resolution Of ineestiga-
ton. and insists on the detention OF this
bank robber In the senate because ,he II .
necessary scoundrel;" ais vote III wanted
to secure . narrow r4ajority. $50 the
Democratic majority in the se4ate on
constitutional grounds refuse 70 admit
the United States senstS's right snd duty
to investigate Roach ard purge 3tseIf Of
the presence of . bant robber :xho 80.
capped conviction by sight and by the
willingness Of the BANK to COMPOUND q
felony.
Roach brought retribution on himself.
With his infamous record hanging over
him he had the immoral audscisy to re-
turn to the scene of HE shame . I'd chal-
lenge the scrutiny Of his record uader the
"ferce light" that always beats ON every
throne. His utter lack Of moral sensible.
ity to the outrage of HRS presencs in the
senate is damning PROOF that he Is moral
pachyderm. He proves by this sact that
he is . man that IL sorry for nothing that
he has done now that .he s.atut;, Of iimi-
tations has made it impossible 70 prose-
cute him and plant hiia in the peniten-
tiary.
Ifthis were all that there was to this
matter; if it was only matter If outrage
upon the decent members Of thu United
States senate that they should ta obliged
to render official courtesy to thit insolent
criminal it would be lad enough. but the
worst of the matter is not the 4, ain upon
our national honor ccnseQuent,upon the
fact that bank robber can constisutionally
sit in the United State senate IS tho seri-
Gus mischief is wroush< by Sena. Tor Roach
Is an object lesson In moral education to
every bright. ambitions growing boy in
this land