New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-11
Still ET1DING IN THE roach CASE

STILL ETADING IN THE HOACH CASE.
Nothing has been done by the United Statcs
Senate as vet concerning the resolution OF Sen
a.or Chandler directing an investigation into
the charges against Senator Roach. The Dem
ocrats of the senate appear to be deaf, dumb
and blind to every sentiment OF deccncy and
honor in connection with this affair. The facts
in TIE Roach case alc not disputed. Indeed
thy cannot be. because they relate to a simple
transaction. the fall record OF which Is III the
Treasury Department and can be brought be-
fore the Senate at any time within an hour.
Roach stole S6l 900 from the Citizens National
Bank of Washington while in the service OF
that institution as It's cashier. Upon the dis
covery of his dcfacation he ran away HIS
bondsmen. who were liable to the extent OF
SD. 900. reimbursed the bank in that amount.
Reach had some property i'll Washington, winch
the bank seized. and from which, in the course
of time the sum of $4,000 was realized. The
balance of the defacation is still owing. and
Roach. As a Senator of the United States, re-
turns to WASHINGTON to sit in the highest conn-
Gil Of the Nation. and pleads against his debt
and against Prosecution for his criminal method
of contracting il the statute OF limitations.
Roach makes NJ denial of his crime. He sought
the Office he hold, with the evident determine
ton t. a sumo brazcn front with regard to
his record and to rely on the paitisanship OF
the Democratic majority to sustain him.
Nor. apparently, did he count without his
host. The Democratic Senator's nave evidently
made up their minds to accept Roach, record
and ALL and TO allow n investigation. lhcy
will do nothing, at all events, into which they
are not absolutely forced under the sevcI'St
pressure of public opinion. They have not yet
had the eIr-ntcIy to declare positively that
they will stand by Roach whatever happens
but they aic acting in that spirit. By refusing
TO consider Senator Chambers resolution, by
putting aside the matter from day To day and
from week to week. by ignoring the criticisms
that have been generally expressed IN con
dcmnatiCn OF Roach and Of their own shameless
indifference to the honor Of the senate. they
give a frank and cynical expression OF Their
purpose. If they were to put II into words
they could scarcely be palmer or moro defiant
of public sentiment. When the G1mand WAS
first made that this matter should be siited t.
the bottom they replied with numerous hints
and innuondoes as to the character and conduct
of certain Republican Senators. They seemed
to think that they could shut off the invcSilga-
ton by threats Of making it general. They
found, however, that the Republicans, whether
in the Senate or out of it. were not to be
frightened by any preceding OF that SORT
| They were assured that such an investigation
could not be too general, and that if they or
ANYBODY el.e had any charges 10 bring against
Republican Senator'S it could not be done to
soon. They dropped this line Of attack with a
prompness that displayed their insncerity in
way which would have been amusing If it
had not been so thoroughly contemplate and
| unbccomng
| 1t is the duty of the people throughout the
country to make forciblc presentation Of their
views concerning the conduct OF the Democratic
majority in this Roach affair 1t is not a mat
ter of furnishing Roach, nor entirely matter
of purging the Senate. 1t is especially a matter
of pr tectng the National honor. The Demo-
Gratis have chosen to submit - the presence in
the Senate of man whom they know - be
criminal and fugitive from justice because
their majority there is small, and because the
State from which this man comes is a Rcpub-
lican State and will undoubtedly replace him
with a Republican Senator. IL they were hon
est, if they had respect for the honor OF the
Senate and Of the Nation, 1t would be at the
risk of their partisan control, and therefore they
prefer to act the part of towards and of men
who have no regard for the character Of the
body of which they are members. 1t should
be impressed upon them by all methods within
the reach of the public that this sort of indie
cent pal t;sanship cannot be tolerated