Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-01-11
THE CHARGE OF BRIBERY.

In the telesraphic columns of the Inter
Mountain last night were published the
details of the bribery charges brought be-
fore the legislature in joint session yes
terday. Reference to the sensational in
cident in an impartial editorial way is
possible on the part Of this paper, mas
much as it is not politically concerned in
the success or failure of either of the
democratic factions now struggling for
supremacy in the legislative assembly of
this state. In the nature of things, the
Anaconda Standard and the Butte Miner,
as the respective organs of these contend
ing factions, take violently opposite
grounds in the consideration of bribery
charges. The Standard is sure that the
charges are sustained while the Miner is
equally sure that they are based on a con-
spiracy concocted for the purpose of con-
trolling the senatorial election.
Good citizens generally, who under-
stand the character and scope of the con-
troversy that has for years waged with
great intensity of feeling between these
two factions, will Withhold judgment on
yesterdays proceedings until more is
known Of the case, and the logic of the
situation is carefully applied to the al
legged facts. While it is known that men
in positions of responsibility and trust
have been bribed from time to time in
the history of different states, it is equally
we'll known that men have been politi-
cally, socially and financially ruined
through public charges of bribery of
which they were entirely guiltless. There
are many cases in point, among the most
conspicuous being the Pomeroy sena-
torial controversy in Kansas some years
since, wherein the depositing of $4,000
with the speaker of the house by a mem
Der, with the statement that he had re-
ceived it as a bride, changed the outcome
of the election in the joint assembly. 1t
was subsequently proved beyond the
shadow of a doubt that the enemies OF
the defeated candidate had made this un-
holy demonstration, and supplied the
money for the purposes for which it was
used, as the least expensive way of con-
trolling results.
So many incidents Of this character
have occurred in the history of politics
meaning Northumberland the ripe judg.
ment of experienced men teaches them t.
weigh well all the conditions involved be
fore reaching a conclusion as to tn,
merits of charges preferred on the eve O
a senatorial election. Especially is Thu
true when intense personal feelings ane
the possession of large wealth on boil
sides spur the contestants on to acts tina
might be impossible of accomplishment
on the part of smaller men.
-
1t is not the purpose of the Inter Noun
tain to infer that the charges mad
against the Clark men were trumped u,
for the express purpose of changing tn
senatorial result at the minimum expens
to their avowed enemies, and on the othe
hand we are not prepared, after a care
full study of the evidence submitted, t
say that a case of bribery has been estab
lished. Our contention is that whethe
these charges are true or false the condi
lions surrounding them open the door t
grave doubts as to the honesty wit
which they We're made, and under sue
circumstances fair play between man an
man justify the Withholding of a publ
verdict until more is known of the fact
than now appear on the surface.
If the charges turn out to be true, Their
IL no doubt but that justice will be mete