The herald., 1898-02-12
THE SENATORIAL SCANDAL

If the latest reports from Columbus are
verified, not only the unexpected but the
extraordinary has happened, and situ-
alton has developed that is not lacking
in the elements which go to the making
of a peculiar political paradox. A state
legislature, dominated in both its
branches by Republicans, it is promised,
will report that the most intimate and
confidential friend of the president of the
United States, the chairman of the ma
tional Republican committee, secured his
election to the senate by means of brib-
cry, and asking that august body to in
stitute an inquiry, on its own account,
into the correctness of the findings of
the legislative investigating committee.
This report, it is said will not be unani-
nous, the single member of the commit
tee declining to concur being a son of the
lamented President Garfield
That the distinguished culprit is
shielded at Washington by the chief ex-
ecutive of the nation. and at home by
the offspring Of an illustrious occupant
VI Tie IQSn PidCC, Will llOl lcip liiS NdoC
before either the senate or the people.
but promises to reflect only dishonor up
on the fair fame of two illustrious Ohio
names. The one may escape the full
cause of the high position he occupies
and the respect which all loyal citizens
entertain for it; the other will be con-
signed to living infamy for the disgrace
full part he has played in the investiga-
ton as the willing tool of corrupt po-
litical junta, instead Of the fearless
friend of the people he represents.
The findings of the committee, wholly
Independent of events that may be pre-
cipitated by it, will have far-reaching
political consequences. not at all favor
able to the president or the party he rep
resents.
Hanna will not be speedily deprived of
his seat or his vote in the senate, if ever,
but his influence will have been de-
stroyed and his ability to help the pres
ident wholly nullified. Instead of a rich
presidential asset, he becomes at once
presidential liability, and most embar-
RAISING one. Knowing so much of the de-
tails of the corrupt methods employed
by him to retain a seat in the senate, or
iginally procured by wicked intriguing
and jobbery, he already stands con-
victed upon the indictment found by the
representatives of his own party, and
charity will be vainly appealed to in his
case. The most liberal application of
senatorial whitewash, if such an attempt
be conceded as probable, will be inef-
fectual in removing the tattoo marks
from his person, and so long as he occu-
pies the seat filled by so many illustr-
Gus citizens of his great state, he will be
fat friend" the man who is believed to
have bought presidency and who is
known to have bought a senatorship.
Memory of the Pomeroy scandal will
be dimmed by the developments in this
newer one, because of the prominence of
the characters inextricably mixed up
with 1t, and its influence upon the public
mind and the public conscience is certain
to be manifested aggressively in the
great political struggles of the next two
years.
The president cannot safely fly in the
lace Of an outraged public sentiment, now
beginning to be thoroughly aroused. He
willretain Hanna as confidential friend
and. adviser at the peril of his own repu-
kation. He will continue to consort with
him at the expense Of public confidence.
domestic as well as official household
lt the sacrifice of public respect. He
will continue to shield and protect him