The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-17
He Should Have No Mercy.

Again the parallel between Clark and
Roberts holds good. A committee re-
ported that the latter was not entitled
to a seat in the house. because he was
Indifferent TO the rules Of common mo-
rality and a violator OF the laws Of the
land. For a moment he hesitated and
contemplated a withdrawal from the
contest Then he chose to blazon his
shame abroad. and the representatives
Of the people scourged him without
mercy lie was sent back 10 Utah,
WIZ. voice was raised for a second
foIst him upon the nation.
i.,r mas been advised. no doubt.
10 rltaar1w from his contest for a seat
an the United States senate. II Is the
part Of better Judgment. The senate
committee reported against him unsni-
mously. II based its conclusion on
grounds unassailable in law or in NOR
ais. Its attitude has the approval OF
the entire people. There is no breath
OF adverse comment outside Of a few
papers in Montana, where his personal
influence is paramount. There are few
instances IN memory where an act in
Washington has been commended so
heartily and unanimously by the public
press
psregarding all this, Mr.. Clark will,
Il is said. carry the contest into the
open senate. He will also. Ii Ia announc-
ed, become a candidate for election be-
fore the next legislature. II this is true.
he valves every claim to personal con-
sideration. His case demands and II will
receive such handling as drove Roberts
from public life and public view. For
the issue is even more important. Polyg-
amy, at worst, Is a crime impossible OF
attempt In nearly all states OF the
Union. The endesvor to purchase Of
fee Is common TO them ALL BY as much
as the menace is more universal does
the particular instance call for a more
vigorous and drastic treatment
1t Is the crime and not the man that
must be dealt with now. There Is no
personal feeling against Mr.. Clark. but
when he puts himself forward as the
representative of a practice that must
be discountensnced and stamped out II
the republic is to survive. he must take
the consequences. The senate would
not. must not. dare not take a position
different from that OF Its committee
Nor will II serve to renew the assault
at home and bring to Washington Gre
dentials signed with the same seal The
only panacea for the wounds Of Mr..
Clark Is a retirement from public life.
Like Roberts. that is the price which
he and all who use his methods ought
10 pay for an offence so heinous
The people OF this country are srous-
ed and determined on this subject as
they are not perhaps on any other. II
Ia their will that vote-buying should
cease. They are weary Of the pretence
that an honorable" man can win his
way to station through lavish expendi-
lures in his behalf. Of which he declares
himself ignorant or innocent. They hold
the willing beneficiary to be the real
criminal They are not 70 be turned
aside by the plea that others have done
the same, Some time this practice must
be stopped n the government Is not @
be dehauched and liberty branded with
| the stamp OF coin There Is no time
! like the present Hungry eyes are fixed
| today upon the action Of congress ana
| people In this case. TO see whether or
\ not lt Is safe 20 make like attempt
The purity OF politics. the salvation Of
: the people from food q corruption
! ready e. rush down and overwhcIm
them. depend upon the maintenance q
rlsld standard ~ political morality.
I No man can stand In the NAY II he
( wiz 90 so let him be crushed a dead
( Tier peril than that ot armed rebellion
threatens oar government u mast -
saved from that. let the consequences
Be- wha, they may and fall where they
WILL
II Thomas Jefferson were alive one