The Washington herald., 1907-01-15
Did He PURCHASE HIS SEAT?
Senate Petitioned to Investigate
Election Of Simon Guggenheim.
Action SouEht To ForestnII and Pre-
United states seuatoFships.

The first note of protest against tht
alleged purchase Of an election 20 the
Emitted States Senate 10y Simon Guggen-
helm was sounded in the Senate yester-
day, when Vice President Fairbanks laid
before that body q letter from Frederick
Lawrence, "a representative Of Ridgway S
Weekly. who was sent TO Colorado 60 in
vestigate the reports OF corrupt use OF
money in connection with the approach
T ing Senatorial election.
Mr.. Lawrence states iu his letter that Mr.
Guggeuhcim has FOR years been an open
and avowed candidate for the Senate and
has contributed large sums to political
campaigns. As one Of the principal own
ers OF the American Smelling and Re
fning Company known as the "smeltlI
trust" he has welded "a powerful In
nuence in State politics. Dir. Lawrence
is prepared, De says, 10 push the fight
against Mr. Guggeuheim 30 the bitter end
lie has proof. it is said. that in due time
he viii offer 90 show that the seat in the
Senate had been bought outright Hl
says that large sums We're paid cut ir
Mr.. Guggeuhcims s interest by John Vivian
and Richard Broad. In the last election
OF hold-over senators IN the state lcgis-
lature. these men. it is said. furnished q
great deal OF money with the understand
ing that the men elected should vote FOL
Mr.. Guggenheim for the United States
Senate. Mr Lawrence makes The follow
ing declaration in his letter.
''TO your petitioner Simon Guggeuhein
personally, and in the presence OF ii Wit
ness. admitted that he had given largo
sums Of money 60 defray the political
campaign expenses OF legislators who
were pledged TO vote for him for United
States Senator.
Mr. Guggcubeim referring 90 his admis-
sion, said. There is nothing wrong about
it. II is merely conducting political cam
paiEns as they are conducted ia thest
days. The money I have contributed has
helped 20 elect these men, and naturally
they feel under obligation TO vote for me
il is done all over the United States 10.
day, II was done by Senators--
1T IS hopeless 20 expect relief from tht
Colorado legislature because tbe senate
Of that State on the 1lth instant refused
20 adopt q resolution which had been IL.
troduced creating q committee TO invesu
gate the manner IN which Simon GUggen-
helm is procuring his election, and fur
ther ordered that the resolution be ex
plunged from the records Of the senate
"All Of which your petitioner respect
fully represents is "a corrupt purchase OI
a Seuatorship Of the United states, tha'
il is "a grave reflection on the honor in
tegrity dignity, and probity OF the sen
ate Of the United States, that unless ac
ton is quickly taken 60 prevent 1t tht
F., legislature Of Colorado Will. on January
18th and 10th, proceed To elect Simon
Guggenheim "a Senator Of the United
States in pursuance Of the corrupt bar
gains. and an irrepdTable injury vii
therefore 0e done the United States anC
the State of Colorado.
Wherefore your petitioner prays tht
Senate to take proper action in the prem.
ises: If possible. 10 take steps 10 pre-
vent such corrupt proceeding as the
election Of Simon GUsgenheim TO III,
United States Senate, and in case of hi.
election TO prevent him from taking his
seat upon any credentials which he may
present