Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-17
BRIBERY I'm ELECTIONS
SECRETARY BoNAPARTE Elk
PRESSES HIMSELF PLAINLY.
Declares That If Mr. jackson is Guilty
He Should Be Sent to the
Penitentiary.

Mr.. -Bonaparte, secretary OF the navy
talked at length in Baltimore concerning
recent publications regarding the whole
sale purchase of votes on the Eastern
Shore. He was asked by a Sun reporter
whether. in view Of the statements made
concerning the purchase of votes for Mr..
jackson, he thought the latter should be
admitted to Congress.
WELL he said, IT have not yet heard
that Mr.. jackson admitted that he had
bought any votes or had authorized any to
be bought for him. His statements, which
1 have read, certainly intimate that money
was spent. and he limited rather strongly
that elections in his section of the state
could not be carried In any other way. If
1t be true that votes were bought for Mr..
Jackson. his late opponent, Mr.. Smith,
might contest his seat. If, however, it is
a fact that Mr.. Smiths own skirts are not
altogether clean, citizens of those counties
where the bribery is alleged could petition
Congress to declare the seat vacant.
IF 1t should be shown that enough votes
were bought for Mr.. Jackson to have
changed the result. Congress might seat Mr..
Smith; but If general condition Of bribery
is brought to light which would make the
result uncertain, Congress could declare the
election void. The people of the Eastern
Shore could then have another election, not
for the purpose of getting more money, but
in order to show how virtuous they can be
when they have the chance"
Prison If Guilty.
IF the buying of votes by Mr.. Jackson
can be proved. do you think he should have
his seat in Congress?"
Certainly not said Mr. Bonaparte, IF
that is fact. If Mr.. Jackson is really
guilty of bribery or has authorized the
bribery of voters and this can be shown,
there is simpler way of dealing with his
case. He can be indicted under. the state
law and sent to the penitentiary."
DO you think if he is guilty he should
be sent to the penitentiary?''
Certainly do" was the reply.ze'I think
any one guilty of bribery at elections should
be put there
Would movement to punish Mr.. Jack
son in this way receive your support
1T would not be needed said the Sec
rotary. THE states attorneys of the coun-
ties where the bribery is alleged should in
vestigate, sift the matter to the bottom,
get at the facts and convict and punish
the offenders, whether one of them be Mr..
who have evidence of bribery or who are
able to get it should furnish it to the au-
thorities."
Reform League Sentiments.
''Mr. Bonaparte, some Of your Reform
League friends think that it was not con-
sistent in you. with your views on the SUBJ
ject of bribery, to have advocated in your
speeches on the Eastern Shore the election
of Mr.. Jackson?"
DO they?" said the Secretary smiling
We'll, l will have to survive their censure,
as I have other and severer blows. Do
they think that Mr.. Smith was more vir-
tuous?"
Does 1t worry you that such a condi-
ton as has been exposed on the Eastern
Shore should exist in the republican party?"
No he said We'll, that is to say,
think it disgraceful and a shame to the
state. l would like to see it changed and
have for number of years advocated
legislation that would stop such conditions
The democratic party. however, Is not
guiltless in this respect, and the new-found
virtue of some of the gentlemen on the
other side who have been giving their views
on the subject is amusing as well as in
Structiye"