The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-03-30
THURSDAY. MARCH 80. 1899.
A DAYS Revelations.

In all charges of attempted bribery there
is always the possibility of q trick Fer il
has sometimes happened that the friend of
a particular candidate has offered bride
in the name of his rival in order to bring
the latter into disrepute. That, however,
does net seem to be the case in Pennsyl-
yania, although. Of course, the charge NAV
not be true. Former Congressman Kulp.
who is said to have offered money and
other Inducements in return for votes for
Quay. is reported to be constant and sin
cere supporter Of that candidate and TO owe
much to him on old political accounts. The
charge made by Representative Brown is
very specific and is made under oath. He
swears that Kulp offered to pay him two
hundred dollars If he would remain away
on the day of the first joint-ballot and this
was raised TO three hundred. Other repre-
sentatives testified to offers as high as five
thousand dollars for their votes for Quay.
but they declined TO name the man. DISH
terested persons do not doubt that a de
iermined effort was made TO corrupt the
Legislators.
While this exposure was made at Harris
burg a Delaware representative was ar
raigned on a charge of having attempted TO
bride another TO vote for Addicks. The
testimony is very positive. and so far no
attempt has been made to refute it On
the same day. yesterday. a warrant was
issued by the Speaker OF the Nebraska
House for the appearance OF Fremont ed
itor TO reveal the names of persons who
solicited brides. He had made direct
charges in his paper without giving the
names. He affirmed that four members of
an investigating committee of the House
attempted to extort twenty-five thousand
dollars from the sugar manufacturers for
the adoption Of bill they were urging
bill to allow them more than hundred
thousand dollars in bounties which they
have not earned.
The Legislature of Rhode Island, on the
same day, was arraigned by a prominent
citizen as being the most corrupt legis-
latire body in the land. Considering the
open and confessed bribery in California
and the alleged corruption of the Montana
Legislature in the recent senatorial cleo
tion. this is bold affirmation.
At any rate. there has been wickedness
alarm. It is almost certain that in every
case the beginning OF the corruption has
been in the purchase Of votes for senatorial
candidates. Unfortunately, it does NOT
stop there. When a man once accepts his
fret bride TO support a man he would 9TH
eTwise oppose, he becomes a rapacious
Sooundrei, seeking opportunities to sell his
vote for any purpose. Having flung away
the scruples that most men have in their
early public life. ne is under no restraint
except the fear of exposure. So out of the
present system of senatorial elections
grows the utter rottenness OF some public
men. who viii do what they can to tempt
others.
Ii is strange view that is taken of this
matter by Chicago newspaper. the
Chronicle" II says that the fact OF the
failure Of the rich men in some cases to
ge; through is evidence that money counts
for less than formerly. The truth is thar
in some States the men who are charged
with being corrupt have been able to buy
up enough members to prevent anybody
else from being elected; and they have SO
far failed TO pull through not SO much on
account Of the virtue of a majority as the
watchfulness Of the friends OF other candi-
dates 1t is known that some of the mea
who vote against certain candidate orig
inally opposed him in order 10 sell them
selves. They are now under such obserya-
ton that they assume virtue TO which
they hardly pretended before. There is
oniy too much reason to fear that the dis
ease is progressing. The remedy lies in
the popular election of United States Sen
ators.