The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-24
SEATTLE. TUESDAY. APRIL ~.
Let This Be the End.

No boodler shall sit In the senate OF
the United States This Is the welcome
proclamation which he senate com
nitttc report IN the Clark c3se carries
10 the ears Of the people. It Is an un-
compromising document. 1t more than
bearS out the rumors that had been
made public as.to its character. II has
no air Of apology. bears none OF those
marks OF mincing regret that too often
spoil the effect Of a righteous Judgment
and a punishment Justly administered.
1t nies right TO the mark: and American
politics are purer. American manhood
nobler. American confidence IN the fu.
ture OF this republic surer ana more
joyous because OF this rebuke to the
cancerous crime that had struck at the
life Of free institutions.
The seat claimed by william A. Clark
In the United States senate Is declared
vacant on account Of briberi~s. attempt
Cd hribsries and corrupt practices at
tending his alleged election. And the
senate does more than deliver a jadg-
ment In this particular case. Il puts Itself
on record and commits itself by a SOL
emn pledge to the country when II say.
that It must demonstrate, as a duty to
itseR and the country, that seats In the
senate procured rs this has been cannot
be retained. II IL a shock to every mil
lionaire sspirant who has seen his
boom srowins under the fructifylnx In
auences OF q golden shower. 1t Is a
sacred promise to the people that re-
deems them from disgrace and despair.
The best feature OF this decision Is
that II does not attemp, TO rest itself
upon any charges of bribery substan-
tated by direct evidence duplicating
Clark In the very act Had II done this.
II would but have served notice on che
shameless creatures who buy their way
irto public life that they must refine
their methods and confide more G. M
pietely In their fithy tools II Goes
not do this. II goes straight TO the
heart OF the evil by accepting the proved
expenditure Of large sums on money in
the campaign and among members a.
the legislature as sufficient evidence Of
corrupt intent That Ia the true test
That Is the standard which the senate
has sc, for Itself. II can never SO back
from u without oonslgning ITSELF to ev-
erlastiag shame
Nor can the biting clustering effect Of
this decision be explained away or lose
Its force through the assertion that
party Influences had aught 20 do with
a. II is Unanimous report. And. nj
thoagh II II rendered hy the committee
~ Republican senate. IL arralgns IN
the most scathing terms the Republican
members Of the Montana Legislature
who made ciark's election possible. II
Gays that the course Of these men calls
Cor spesial criticism, II holds them an
20 the Rcofn and wrath 81 the people
And ~ SO snalSaes the Whole vlilaineus
transaction into whose fostering depths
this investigation has penetrated taat
no man connected with Il should evs-
be able 20 hold uF his head again IA tbs
company OF his fellows
In the name % the people OF this
coantrS Ne thank the senate committee
for the service that Il has rendered 10
the republic The huckster In politics.
who wears other namsS besides that q,
Clark. has received staggering blow
at the very moment when he felt that
his way was open and hts triumph Sc
cure. The occupation OF hls panders Is
weli-nlxh suae. Tor IL he Is 10 be held
responsible for'thcsr corruption. % what
avan is It to Keep them ,n hts payG
In many states there viii be mourning
among the grsftcrs whose occupation is
in danger, Their performances here