The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-26
HIS VOTE WAS SOLD.
A Phase of Washington Legislative
Life That Sounds Like a Romance.

Washington Post.
A former distinguished senator. and a
man who died poor, although he spent his
entire life in public affairs. once told very
Interesting story of how his vote was sold
without his knowledge. Possibly other
senatorial votes have been sold In like
manner.
In a Pullman car one day the senator re-
newed the acquaintance OF a prominent
railroad man he had met in Washington.
and who he knew was Interested In land
grant bill which had become law and
had received the senator's support.
Well. your bill got through all right
remarked the senator, though you were
very uneasy about it,"
I'VE had right to be uneasy responded
the railroad man. In these times OF anti
railroad sentiment. many public men feared
TO vote for a railroad bill.
We'll / voted for il because IL was a
just measure. and no amount OF prejudice
| could have scared me- remarked the sen
ator.
''Oh, yes. we knew we had your vote"
the railroad man remarked with peculiar
look
How did you know it?" asked the SEN
ator, sharply.
Because we paid 5000 for it," answered
the railroad man. firmly.
The senator gasped. got his breath. de-
manded an explanation, and the particulars
of the affair then came out. Ii developed
that when this bin was pending the rail-
road man received information that there
was danger of its being defeated. and came
10 Washington 10 see about II. Soon after
his arrival he met a man whom he knew
Slightly as a legislative promoter, and a
number of senator's said 10 be doubtful
were named. but. added the promoter their
votes could be had for a consideration.
The price OF this particular senator was
fixed at 5000.
Now he is little peculiar about these
things, said the promoter. land you had
better let me see him first; then later in
the day you can call on him and see IL he
promises his vote.
II seems that this promoter did call on
bill. and said that there was a man in the
| city who would be glad 10 know that the
| senator would support the bill: and might
| they call later and hear him say so?
''Oh yes" said the senator. its good
| bill. and I'll vote for it. but 1 have no time
| to bother with this man.
Nevertheless. in the afternoon the rail-
| road man and his friend were ushered
into the senator's committee room, and the
promoter said:
Senator. this is the gentleman spoke
| that land grant bill. He will be glad TO
know IL is all right
Yes, it's all right said the senator.
| THE bill ought 10 pass. and. as / said
| this morning. / am going to support it,"
The incident apparently closed until re-
newed afterward upon the train.
Upon the strength of that interview"
said the railroad man. we paid that pro-
| moter 5000 for your vote.
"Wel it's needless for me TO say never
knew anything about IL. 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 do?'
well. We were scared we didn't tsSe
| any chances on anything" was the reply.
| Telling the story afterward, the senator
said: Il had often looked at some of my
| colleagues. whose regulations had been i'm
/ pugned. and asked myself: Are they
knaves fools? but after this incident
when l felt like criticsing a fellow-member
| for being a knave and taking money for
/ his vote. or placed In a position where he
was suspected OF IL, and, therefore. a fool.
| / would check myself. as some one might
| by asking: To which class do you be-
| long?"