The Tupelo journal., 1907-11-08
HIS VOTE WAS SOL
Phase Of Washington Legislative Life
Sounds Like a Romance.


A former distinguished senator,
and a man whodiedpoor although
he spent his entire life in public af-
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 a 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 we're very uneasy
! about it,"
owe had a right to be uneasy"
responded the railroad mar. "In
these times of anti-rai!road senti-
ment many public men feared to
vote for a railroad bill"
SWELL, l voted for it because it
was a JET 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.
GLOW did you know it," asked
the senator, sharply.
Because we paid $1,000 fori 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 e about it. Soon after
his arrival he met a man whom he
knew slightly as a legislative pro.
moter, and a number of senator's
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, land you had better let me
e 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 railroad bill, and said that
there was a manin the city who
would be glad to know that the
senator would support the bill;
and might they call later and hear
him say so?
ooh, yes" said the senator, "it's
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
l spoke to you about this morn.
ing, interested in the land grant
bill. He will be glad to know it is
all right"
eyes, it's all right" said the sen.
ator. "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 in.
terview," said the railroad man,
"we paid the promoter $4,000 for
your vote"
swell, it'sneedlessfor me to say
never knew anything about it.
But tell me, why did you go about
anything of that kind? Why
didn't you come to me first, with.
out any negotiation, and find out
how l stood and what / would
do"
well, we we're so scared we
didn't take any chances on any.
thing" was the reply.
Telling the story afterward, the
senator said: 81 had often looked
at some of my colleagues, whose
regulations had been impugned,
and asked myself: Are they
knaves or fools" but after this in
cident, when l felt like criticising
a fellow-member for being a
knave and taking money for his
vote, or placed in a position where