The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-11-15
How Sam JOsephs Helped Republican
Members of the Legislature to Make Money.

| 1t is well-knoWn at Harrisburg that
a Ring is formed at the commencement
of each session of the Legislature, for
| the express purpose of extracting
money from corporations and persons
desiring special legislation. This thing
has been going on for ten or twelve
years. The Ring is not confined to one
party, though it has mostly been made
up of Republicans. A few profligate
and mercenary Democrats have annu.
ally Joined it, and Mr.. Samuel Josephs
has been one of the leading spirits of
the rascally organization. 1t has been
difficult to secure such positive infor-
nation as would enable the transactions
of the Ring to be exposed as they de-
served to be, but its operations were
seen and felt at each succeeding session
of the Legislature. Whenever some
scheme like the Nine Million Steal, or
Pete Herdic's boom bill was under con-
sideration, the Ring acted as unit,
selling the votes of its members for a
larger price than could have been Sc.
cured if they had negotiated for bribes
singiy. In many cases Sam Josephs
acted as the authorized spoke 3man of
the Ring, and became treasurer of
moneys paid for the vot; of its men,
bers. More than once he has called
the roll of his confederates in iniquity
at the close of legislative session, and
has given to each member of the Ring
check for his "divyy" in the differ
ent transactions.
A little jar between e. j. Keenan,,
formerly editor. of the Greensburg Dem.
ocrat, and Jas. II. McAfee, editor of the
Greensburg Herald, has led to some in-
tere5ting revelations. Mr.. McAfee, who
was clerk of the State Senate last win
ter, made some charge against Mr.. Kee.
nan which the latter disposes of very
speedily and effectually, and then pays
his respects to his assailant. Among
other things he produces "a lettterfrom
Samuel Josephs, which was written in
reply to note sent inclosing some arti.
Gle which had been inserted in McAfee'5
paper, ,torebut certain rumors in relation
to his connection with Josephs and the
Legislative Ring when McAfee was
member of the lower house. Here is
what the Treasurer of the Legislative
Ring says over his own signature:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, !
Harrisburg, Pa, Ma 4th, 1871.
f.. j. KEENAN,, ESQ.,,
Dear Sir: Yours of 4th inst,
enclosing published article, received.
l have only to say that almost every
Republican, particularly Messsrs. Full
ton and McMullen, were anxious that
the Resolution should pass, provided
that the Ayes and Nays were not call
ed.
was placed in the chair with that
understanding, and warmly congratu-
lated by the two members referred to,
for my prompt and unbiased decision
which gave them an opportunity to get
their trunks away from the Hotels. If
they had any desire to put themselves
on the Record, they had every oppor.
tunity to do so by making motion to
reconsider, which they could have done
any time inside of six days.
lnasmuch as that would deprive them
of the small sum of four hundred and
seventy'five dollars they did not think
1t proper or wise to do so. On the whole,
they were delighted at the able decision
of the chair.