Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-10-26
THE STORY OF A BRiBE.

Without His Knowledge.
a former distinguished senator. and o
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 knowl-
edge. Possibly other senatorial votes
have hesl sold in like manner
In IL Pullman car one day the SEN
ator renewed the acquaintance of
prominent railroad man he had met IL
Washington and who, lie knew, was In
terestcd in Il land grant bill which had
become Il 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,"
"We had right to be uneasy" re-
sponded the railroad man. In these
times Of antirailroad sentiment many
public men fear to vote for a railroad
bill"
We'll, voted for it because it was
just measure, and no amount of pref
udice would have scared me-" remark.
cd the senator.
"Oh, yes, We knew we had your
vote" the railroad man remarked, with
peculiar look.
"HoW did you know it?' asked the
senator sharply. >
."Recause we paid S5,ca0 for it," an
swered the railroad man firmly.
The senator gasped, got his breath,
demanded an explanation and the par
fstieulars 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 Its
being defeated and came to Washing
ton to see about 1t. Soon after his ar
rival he met man whom he knew
slightly as a legislative promoter, and
number of senators said to be doubt
full were named; but, added the pro.
noter, their votes could be had for
consideration. The price of this par
ticular senator was fixed at $1,000.
"Now, he is little peculiar about
these things" said the promoter, "nnd
you had better let me see him first.
Then later in the day you can call on
him and see If ne promises his vote"
~ tiidS liio plolhoiSl dlSt Stlll
on the senator and mentioned the rail
road bill and said that there was
man In the city who would be glad to
know that the senator would support
the bill and might call later and hear
him say so.
"Oh, yes" said the senator, at is
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
ushcred into the senator's committee
room, and the promoter said:
Senator, this is the gentleman
spoke to you about this morning in
terested in that land grant bill. Hewill
be glad to know it is all right"
"Yes, it's all right" said the senator.
''The bill ought to pass, and, as said
this morning. l am going to support
It."
The incident apparently closed until
renewed afterward upon the train.
upon the strength Of that inter,
vtew," said the railroad man, 1--WE paid
that promoter $1,000 for your vote.s
"Well, it's needless for me to say I
never knew anything about It. But,
tell me, why did you go about any
thing of that kind? Why didn't you
come to me first, without negotiation,
and find out how stood and what
would doT'
well, we We're SO scared we didn't
take any chances on anything" was
the reply.
Telling the story afterward. the SEN
ator said: ~ had often looked ut some
Of my colleagues whose regulations
had been impugned and asked myself,
Are they knaves or foolsT but after
this incident. when felt like crltlcis-
ing a fellow member for being n knave
and taking money for his vote, or
placed in a position where he was sus-
pected of 1t, and therefore fool,
would check myself, MS some one might
be asking, TO which class do you be-
longf "-Washington Post.
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