It shows that a man can't be corrupt in this country without sweating for it, I can tell you that." "Hang it, Colonel, you just said we never punish anybody for villainous practices." "But good God we try them, don't we! Is it nothing to show a disposition to sift things and bring people to a strict account?
I tell you it has its effect." "Oh, bother the effect!--What is it they do do?
How do they proceed?
You know perfectly well--and it is all bosh, too.

Come, now, how do they proceed ?" "Why they proceed right and regular--and it ain't bosh, Washington, it ain't bosh.

They appoint a committee to investigate, and that committee hears evidence three weeks, and all the witnesses on one side swear that the accused took money or stock or something for his vote.

Then the accused stands up and testifies that he may have done it, but he was receiving and handling a good deal of money at the time and he doesn't remember this particular circumstance--at least with sufficient distinctness to enable him to grasp it tangibly.

So of course the thing is not proven--and that is what they say in the verdict.