Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1857-09-30
a DARK SHOWING.

If there be one rule. in ethics which
more than another ought to obtain in
political controversy, it is that which
binds disPutants to respect the private
character of men brought into promi-
nence, whether as candidates for public
trust, or otherwise. No mans charac-
ter should be lightly or wantonly assail-
ed, for purposes of political capital
But while private reputation should be
protected, public interest should not be
lost sight of. If party recklessness
thrustS into nomination, as a candidate
for public trust or honor, any one whose
character for private honesty precludes
the supposition that he would act with
strict integrity in such public position,
then the people have right to know
what the mans character is, that his as
pirations may be defeated and the State
protected against him. And in such
event, the Press, the source of all public
information, is recreant to its duty if it
fail 10 proclaim that character.
One of the political parties of Ohio
has now in the field such candidate for
position of high trust and honor-a
candidate whose reputation as a man is
SO bad, that his elevation to the efice
for which he is presented, could scarce
ly fail to result in discredit or disgrace
to the State. That party is the social
ed Democratic" and that candidate is
Henry B. Payne. its nominee for Cover
nor. These are grave charges, and
should not be lightly made; let US see
how well they may be founded.
In the winter of 1849-'5O, Cuyahoga
county was represented in the Ohio Leg
islaure by VIM. B. Lloyd. This Mr..
Lloyd was charged by the Ohio States
man with forgery, and one of the wit
nesses relied upon TO prove the charge
was Henry B. Payne. Mr.. Lloyd de-
manded an investigation, and the mat,
ter vas thoroughly sifted. 1t seems to
have occurred to some of the members
of the Investigating Committee,
that Mr.. Payne's word might not be
good, and in order to test the matter, a
number of friends and acquaintances of
Mr.. Payne were called upon to testify as
10 whether they would believe him under
oath. The annexed report of the testi-
mOny of several mot ally Of the witness
ses examined, appears gpon the record,
and the facts cannot be denied.
The first witness is Mr.. Ambrose Spen-
Ger, son of the late Judge John C.
Spencer, of Albany, n. Y, in whose
Office Mr.. Payne studied law. He knew
MIR. Payne's antecedents better than any
man before the committee. We quote
rom the reported testimony of Mr..
Spencer before the Committee.
Question. Are you acquainted with
Mr.. Payne, and if so, how long have
you known him, and what is his general
character for truth, and from your knowl-
edge of his general chara cter. would you
believe him on oath.
Answer. 1 do know Mr.. Payne. 1
think it was in the year 1888 1 first be-
came acquainted with him; his general
character for truth l believe is not Of the
first order, and for my own part when
ever his personal feelings or interest
were concerned, 1 WOULD NOT BE-
LIEVE HIN UNDER OATH.
Question. Do you mean by Mr..
Payne, H. B. Payne, Esq, the witness
heretofore examined by the Committee?
And, if so, have you at any time had
personal misunderstanding with Lin?
Answer. 1 mean II. B. Payne, of.
Cleveland partner of Hiram V. Will
son. So far from having any misunder-
with Mr.. Payne, 1 have been
on the usual terms with him, which ex-
ist between gentlemen, since the time he
studied law in my father, John G. Spen-
GERS Office, in Canandaigua, in the State
of New York; and it is with regret that
| have made the statement l have.
Question. How long have you resi-
1ed in Cleveland, and how long has
Mr.. Payne resided there?
Answer. I have resided in the City
IF Cleveland two years next March. 1
hink Mr.. Payne has been in Cleveland
more than four years.
Question. What is his general char.
lcter for truth in the City OF Cleveland?
Answer. HIS reputation is bad in Cleve
and, asJar as my kHOCledge eriends.
Question. in what particular sense,
f any, have you known Mr.. Payne to
lepart from the truth?
Answer. In a case pending before
he Court of Common Pleas, at Cleve-
and, an agreement was entered into be-
ween Thomas Bolton and Mr.. Payne,
0 postpone the trial to the next term
During that term and during Mr.. Boil
on's absence from the court House, Mr..
Payne drew the attention of the Judge
Humphery,E : think it was, to the num-
er of his case, and requested that it