The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-10
Should Not Be Seated.

IL ~ certain that the montana lo8ioia-
ture will elect w. A. Clark a United
States senator. He spent at least .
million dollars in securing the election
Of legislature favorable to him. and
he confidently expects delivery of the
goods for which he has paid. Under all
Of the circumstances Of the case the de-
cent people OF the United States. with
out distinction OF party. have q right to
look to the senate to refuse admission
to It's body to this convicted briber. who
seeks for the third time to enter II by the
force OF money corruptly expended.
The senate is the exclusive Judge Of
the election and qualification Of its MEM
bers. II has pending before It and stil
Enacted upon the report OF the commit
tee which found CLARK guilty of bribery
in the original purchase OF his seat. 1t
has also before 1t. Enacted on. the APP
pointment of Clark to a seat in the sem
ate. which appointment was the result Of
a shameless political trick. insulting to
the senate; the Ming Of fake resigns-
tion by Clark to forestall action in ex-
polling him from the chamber for brib-
cry and corruption.
The acts OF which Clark has been found
guilty by the senate committee and his
entire course since mark him as dam
serous criminal, unit to be recognized AZ
a senator The senate owes II to its own
dignity. to decent respect for public
opinion. to refuse to recognise his faint
ed credentials: to refuse him admission
now. and any time hereafter when he
may present himself, whether he comes
with a certificate Of election from a legis-
iature which he purchased. whether he
comes with certificate from a legisla-
ture the individual members OF which
were elected through the corrupt use OF
his money; or whether he presents him
self with an appointment made by
governor who is one OF hi creatures eie-
waited to Office by the unlawful use of
Ciark's millions.
There are no questions OF politics In
this The senate has Republican ma
tority, In any event. and there is no po-
litical advantage TO be gained by re-
fusing Clark admission. for one vote will
not be OF importance. Any decent man
whom the Democratic legislature OF Mon
,ana may select for senator should be
seated as a matter OF course. but not
convicted hriber who seeks again q seat
once refused him for practices which he
has Just repeated.
Here Is a case which in many respects
duplicates that OF Roberts. who was re-
jected as a representative from Utah in
criminal. living in polygamy IN defiance
OF law. Clark Is a criminal of much
greater magnitude; and Is without Rob-
erts' defense Roberts could ciaim con-
seientious devotion 90 a religious belief
as paliiation OF his offense. Clark has
nothing Of excuse TO ofer. He denantly
uANtlNN NtAtAh hH Hfr HAtt
for Office and seeks 10 establish the
principle that a millionaire has the right
to corrupt legislators and electors. and
10 acquire seat in the United states
senate by deliberate purchase
The senate should take up the business
Enacted upon in regular order. 1t should
ACCEPT and approve the report Of the com
nai,tee declaring Clark not entitled TO the
seat which he originally purchased. 1t
should next declare the pretended ap-
pointment under which ne sought a seat
the second time to be voId and OF no e.
feet AS third step. Il should refuse to
aeccpt clark's third ana last set of Gre
dentiais. when he presents them. on the
ground that the record has shown Clark
to be an unit man 20 hold a seat in the
senate OF the United States
II the senate does this. its action viii
meet as warm popular approval as tina,
OF the house in refusing TO seat Roberts:
and the cause OF honest government and
purity IN elections viii be measuras,,
advanced.
One OF the blessings of the late election
IL the forced rettreuert from conxres. AZ