Senator Newberry's Conviction Will Help Assure Honest Elections, March 22, 1920

From the editorial page of the Hickory Daily Record, Monday, March 22, 1920

Newberry’s Conviction

The conviction of Senator Truman H. Newberry and 16 of his co-defendants for criminal conspiracy in connection with the special election in Michigan in 1918 is a matter in which every citizen who is interested in honest elections may well take comfort. It makes no difference, as the Record has pointed out in discussing government, whether the candidate in most cases is a Democrat or Republican—the question is honesty. If Senator Newberry had been a Democrat, his offense would have been just as great.

Sensible people realize that if wealthy men or politicians are able to purchase an election then there is no reason for voters going to the polls. There are enough men in every section willing to sell out to aid any party in winning an election. It was the great Newberry slush fund that beat Henry Ford whom the majority of Michigan voters wanted to represent them in the senate.

Mr. Newberry’s exponents attempt to justify this expenditure by declaring that Henry Ford is not worth to the high office. That is not for them to say. That question should be decided by the voters of Michigan.

Senator Newberry should be denied his seat in the United States senate. He himself should voluntarily retire, and in any event he should not be allowed to hold membership in that body as long as there is a cloud hanging over his title.

The action of the Grand Rapids jury should have a wholesome effect on next fall’s election. Senator Newberry and his co-defendants have been given prison sentences or heavy fines or both, and they will have small chance of getting the verdict overturned by the supreme court.