The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-01-02
ais VOTE WAS SOLD
Phase OF Washington Legislative Lie
Sounds Like a Romance.

y hANA otuulNlf
and Il manwhOdiedpoor although
he spent his entire life in publica at
fairs, once told a very interesting
story of how his vote was sold
without his knowledge, says the
Washington Post. Possibly other
senatorial votes have been sold in
a like manner.
In a Pullman ear one day the
senator renewed the acquaintance
of a prominent railroad man he
had met in Washington, and who
he knew was interested in a land
grant bill which had become a law
and had received the senator's
support.
"Well, you got your bill through
all right remarked the senator,
though you were very uneasy
about it,"
"We had a right to be uneasy"
responded the railroad man. "In
these times of anti-railroad senti.
ment many public men feared to
vote for a railroad BILL"
"Well, l voted for it because it
was a just measure, and no
amount Of prejudice could have
scared me-" remarked the senator.
"Oh, yes, we knew we had your
vote" the railroad man remarked,
with a peculiar look.
"How did you know it?" asked
the senator, sharply.
Because we paid $4,000 for It"
answered the railroad man.
firmly,
The senator gasped, got his
breath, demanded an explanation
and the particulars of the affair
then came out. 1t developed that
when this bill was pending the
railroad man received informa,
ton that there was danger of its
being defeated, and came to Wash
ington to see about it. Soon after
his arrival he met a man whom he
knew slightly as a legislative pro
moter, and a number of senators
said to be doubtful were named.
but, added the promoter, their
votes could be had for a cOnsidera-
ton. The price of this particular
senator was fixed at $4,000.
Now he is a little peculiar
about these things" said the pro
moter, "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 hat this promoter did
call on the senator, and mentioned
the railroad bill, and said that
there was a man in the city wtJ
would be glad to know that the
senator would support the bill
and might they call later and hear
him say so?
"Oh, yes" said the senator, cts
a good bill, and I'll vote for it, but
have no time to bother with this
man"
Nevertheless, in the afternoon
the railroad man and his friend
were ushered into the senator's
committee room, and the promoter
said
Senator, this is the gentleman
I spoke to You about this morn
ing, interested in the land grant
j, bill. lie will be glad to know it is
an right"
Yes, it's all right" said the sen
ator. The bill ought TO pass, and
as said this morning, | am goins
+ TO support it,"
, The incident apparently closed
until renewed afterward upon he
train.
upon the strength of that in
, terview," said the railroad man
f: "we paid the promoter $4,000 foI
your vote"
i. "Well, it'sneedlessfor me to SAY
never knew anything about ii
. But tell me, why did you go abou
anything of that kind? VIII,
didn't you come to me first, with
out any negotiation, and find on
how stood and what | woult
do?"
h "Well, we we're so scared W,
n didn't take any chances on any
n thing" was the reply.
Telling the story afterward, tn,
senator said: 81 had often locke,
at some Of my colleagues, who's