The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1903-11-19
HOW HIS VOTE WAS SOLD
II Had Been Paid for, Too, but the
Senator Did Not Know Il.


A former distinguished Senator, and
a man who died poor although he
spent his entire life in public affairs,
once told a very interesting story OF
how his vote was sold without his
knowledge. Possibly other Senatorial
votes have been sold in like manner.
In Pullman car one day the Senator
renewed the acquaintance OF promi-
nent railroad man he had met in
Warrington and whom he knew was In
terested in land grant bill which
had become a law and had received
the Senator's support.
We'll, your bill got through all
right" remarked the Senator, though
you were so very uneasy about It,"
1--WE had a right to be uneasy" re-
sponded the railroad man. 'In these
times of anti.ralroad sentiment many
public men feared to vote for a rail-
road bill"
We'll, voted for II because Il was
a Just measure and no amount OF pre-
judice could have scared me-" remark
ed the Senator.
ooh. yes. we knew we had your
vote" the railroad man remarked
with peculiar look.
How did you know it," asked the
Senator sharply.
Because we paid $4,000 for It," an
swered the railroad man firmly.
The Senator gasped, got his breath,
demanded an explanation, and the par.
ticulars OF the affair then came out.
1t developed that when this bill was
pending the railroad man received in
formation that there was danger of ia
being defeated. and came TO Washing
ton to see about II. Soon after his ar
rival he met man whom he knew
slightly as a legislative promoter,
and number OF Senators said to he
doubtful were named, but added the
promoter, their votes could be had for
a consideration. The price OF this
particular Senator was fixed at $1,000.
"Now, he Is a little peculiar about
these things" said the promoter. 'and
you had better let me see him first;
then later in the day you can call on
him and see if he promises his vote"
1t seems that this promoter did call
on the Senator, and mentioned the
railroad bill and said that there was
man in the city who would he glad to
know that the Senator would support
the BILL and might they call later and
hear him say so?
ooh. yes said the Senator, "it's
good bill and I'll vote for 1t, but I
have no time to bother with this
man."
Nevertheless, in the afternoon the
railroad man and his friend were
ushered into the Senators committee
room and the promoter said:
Senator, this is the gentleman I
spoke to you about this morning in
terested in that land grant bill. He
will be glad to know 1t is all right"
Yes; it's all right" said the Sena-
tor. ''The bill ought to pass. and, as I
said this morning, l am going to sup
port it,
The incident apparently closed un-
til renewed upon the train.
Upon the strength OF that inter.
view," said the railroad man. 1--WE paid
CnaU promoter So.VVu lot your vote.
We'll, it's needless for me to say
that never knew anything about it.
But tell me, why did you go about
anything of that kind? Why didn't
you come to me first. without any
negotiation. and find out how I stood
and what | would dor
"Well, we were so scared we didn't
take any chances on anything" was
the reply.
Telling the story afterward the Sen
ator said:
81 had often looked at some of
my colleagues whose regulations had
been impugned and asked myself. Are
they knaves or fools?' but after this
incident. when | felt like criticising
fellow member for being a knave
and taking money for his vote or
placed in position where he was sus-
pected Of it, and therefore a fool.
would check myself, as some one
might be asking, To which class do
you belongT "-Washington Core
spondence Charlotte Observer.