The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-05-11
THE STORY OF a BRIBE.
How senators Vote Esa sola
without His KneryIcescs

without His KncuIcs.ses
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 kaoTl
edge Possibly other senatorial votes
have been sold in a like manner.
In Pullman car one day the SEN
ator renewed the acquaintance Of q
prominent railroad man he had met in
Washington and who. he knew. was in
terested in land grant bill which had
become law and had received the
senators support.
.Wcll, your bill got through all
right" remarked the senator. though
you were 50 very uneasy about it."
1--WE had a right to be Uneasy" re-
sponded the railroad man. IN these
times of antirailroad sentiment Eiany
public men fear to vote for railroad
biIl.''
'.Wcll, I voted for 1t because it was
a just III easure, and no amount of pref
udice would have scared me-" remark
ed the senator.
"Oh, yes, we knew we had your
vote" the railroad man remarked, with
a peculiar look.
..Iiow did you know it?' asked the
senator sharply.
Because we paid IS 900 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 its
being defeated and came to Washing
ton to see about it. Soon after his ar
rival he met man whom he knew
slightly as a Legislative promoter. and
n number of senators said to be doubt
fuq were named; but, added the pro-
motcr, their votes could be had for Il
considera ton. The price of this par
ticular senator was fixed Mt $4,000.
"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 rail-
road bill and said that there was :!
man in the city who would be glad 70
know that the senator would support
the bill and might call later and hc.;
him say So
"Oh, res said the senator. lit is ::
good bill. and I'll vote for it. but have
no time to bother with this man"
Ncvcrt heIcsS. in the afternoon the
railroad man and his friend were
ushcrcd into the senator's committee
room and the promoter said:
Senator. this is the gentleman
spoke to you about this morning II
tercstcd in that land grant bill. lie vii:
be glad to know it is all right
Ives. 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 unil
renewed afterward upon the train.
Upon the strength of that inter
view said the railroad man. we paid
that promoter $1,000 for your vote
well. it's needless for me to say
never knew anything about it But.
tell me. why did You go about am
thing of that kind? Why didn't YOU
come to me first, without negotiation.
and find out how | stood and what
would dog
well. we were so scared we diI!i:
take any chances on anything" was
the reply.
Telling the story afterwarl. the son
ator said: Il had often looked at SOM"
of my colleagues whose regulations
had been impugned and asked myself.
Are they knavcS or foolS:' but after
this incident. when I felt like critics.
ing Il fellow member for being Il ki:aT-c
and taking money for his vote. c.
placed in 4 position where he WAS s;:E::-
pected of it, ana therefore Il fool.
would check myself. as some one ni-lit
he asking. To which class Go YOU be-
long? '--W9Shiu"ton Post.
KoHiI: For N-.Et"I.proor-