Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-04
Men Sickened by Foul
0dOrs From CauIdron
of Corruption.
SHOULD BE EXPELLED
Iowa Senator in Scathing De-
nunCiation of Methods AIIeg-
ed Employed in Election.

Washington, March 4.-~why mince
words? Every man in this body knows
that the election OF Senator Stephen
son was brought ABOUT by the reck-
less. extravagant and wrongful use of
money. You may gloss It over. smile
about IL, condone it, but the fact still
exists-the seat was purchased
Senator Kenyon, in a scathing de-
nunciation of the methods alleged 10
have been used by the veteran Wiscon-
sin senator in his campaign for his
seat, made the foregoing part Of Wig
orous speech in the senate today. The
Iowa senator, with senators Clapp.
Jones. Kern and Lea dissented from
the majority report OF the committee
which investigated the election and
held that charges of bribery and cor
ruption had not been proved. Sena-
tor Kenyon denounced the election as
IAN organized riot of corruption in
defensible and tainted at its foun-
tain"
AN ORGANIZED RIOT.
"The methods employed would not
have dignifed a candidacy for county
sheriff" he said The election was
the result of an organized riot Of cor
ruption, a debauchery of the elector-
ate by treating. employment, purchases
OF newspapers influence, and other de-
spicable methods. creating, by money,
v,IgtfraI enthusiasm ana gapuriue M.
litical support Such practices should
cease. and cease now. Otherwise the
canker of corruption will eat close TO
the heart OF the republics 80 =
The only real danger that can ever
threaten this nation in the future is
corruption in the body polite. II is
the child OF avarice and special privi-
lege. II can exist only when the elect
crate is Indifferent. They may be slow
to be aroused, but when once aroused
the American people will drive the
money changers from the temple, and
smite the arrogant demon of corrup-
tion wherever its vile head may AZ
Iear.'
Seats ia the United States senate,
Mr.. Kenyon declared, did not belong
TO the highest bidder. II seats were
TO be bought and sold as merchandise.
then, he fore-told the decadence of the
republic.
MONEY CAN DEFEAT, TOO.
"If men can be sent here by money
he continued, Others can be defeated
by money, and there are men in this
chamber who know what it means to
have the purses OF great interests op-
ened to defeat them. We are march.
ing on: no one need be discouraged; ;
the people. not money, are going to
rule in this country. We are adyanc.
ing.
'1n the Payne case Senator Frye
the conservative, brainy, and honest
senator from Maine. pleaded with the
senate 20 investigate the charges that
the Standard Oil company had, through
its agents and officers. put its hands
upon a legislative body. and under
took to control and elect a member Of
the United States senate. He could
not secure a hearing.
"Old Judge Thurman, with relation
TO the Payne case, said at that time. il
an interview:
The democratic clock Is put bach
four years, and corruption is given {
new lease hold in our land. syndicate'
purchase the peoples votes, and hon
est men stand aghast'.
sICKENED BY oDoRs.
I'VE at least have had an investiga
cation. a thorough one. and as the liz
has been lifted men have been sicken
ed by the foul odors that came from
the cauldron of corruption. There /
no divinity that surrounds a seat fl
this body acquired by such methods
no reason TO talk in whispers concern
ing Il, but boldly TO brand il, as il is
q purchased seat.
Above any other question is tn
great one OF public policy. A ma
who turns loose this enormous sum Q
money TO secure a seat here is no
as a matter OF public policy, entitle
10 remain 4 member OF this body: eve
were the election legal he should
expelled.
The minority offer no apology 70
their action. II has been an unpleai
ant duty, but We have the conscious
ness at least Of not voting to approx
methods and practices in an electio
condemned by the majority as expel
ditures in violation Of the fundament;
principles underlying our system {
government"
POsTOFFICE INVESTIGATION.
A thorough investigation TO dete
mine whether postmasters are beiT
coerced in the interest OF any preside