The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-03-04

the usury laws. SEheM hS-1 elh-1
syIyania take much interest in the
matter. and are anxious that the bill
should pass. This specimen reform
cr, unmindful of the provisions of the
new Constitution. thought that he
saw an opportunity to make some
money. Mr.. Dimmick, assisted by
Harrisburg real estate agent named,
J Monroe Kreiter, drew up a circu-
lar recommending the enactment of
the proposed law, and calling upon
all the banks of Pennsylvania TO give
their prompt support The circa--
lar was signed by James W. Wier,
William Colder. and other well Known
bank officers Of Harrisburg (the sig
natures all being forgeries). Enclosed
with each circular was letter, print
ed on half sheet-of foolscap paper,
showing the Importance of the bill
and the difficulty of having it passed;
that lawyers had to be employed to
explain Its provisions, and other nee
essary. expenses had to be paid,
and suggesting the necessity and pro-
prietv Of the several banks contribu-
ting Il small fee of one quarter of one
per cent. of their capital stock to de-
fray ,these legitimate expenses.'---
The money was 10 be sent to r. II.
Gibbons or f. L. Saunders, Fictitious
names supposed to represent VIM. II.
Dimmick and j. Monroe kreiter).
Mr.. Dimmick and his confederate
having prepared this printed letter, a
copy was addressed TO all the banks
and banking houses in Pennsylvania.
Several banks responded and sent
checks, as requested, 10 Messrs. Glib
bons and Saunders; but other shrewd
cashiers thought it best to make their
( contributions through the Harrisburg
! banks. and directed their correspond
ents to first ascertain whether the
money thus assessed was to be prop
ierly used, and, If so, to pay, the
amount so demanded A committee
of the Legislature has fully inresti-
gated the case, but the testimony has
mot been made public, and tits not
known how much money the swim
dlers obtained from the banks. The
clerks at the Harrisburg postofice
seem 10 have first discovered the
fraud Cat least the information upon
which a warrant for the arrest of the
swindlers was issued was made by
Mr.. George Bergner, Postmaster), /
Representative Dimmick, of Wayne
county, and real estate agent kreiter
were taken into custody by the Unit |
ed States Marshal for the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania, on the
charge Of sending circulars through
the mails, With intent to cheat and
defraud, and after a hearing, were
bound over for trial. ,.,s =; .--.-.a.; !
When Dimmick found that " he
game was up he resigned his seat
in the House, without waiting for the !
report Of the investigating commit !
tee, which, probably, will recommend
his expulsion A question was raised
as to whether he had right to re-
sign while an investigation was pend !
ing, bat the Speaker decided that the |
House was bound to accept the prof.
fered resignation, and he forthwith |
issued a writ for new election to
Gil the vacancy existing in the Wayne
district. Such of our readers as take /
any interest in politics, will remem-
Der that, just before the State elec-
ton last October, self-constituted
committee of Democratic politicians
appeared at the Office Of the State |
Treasurer, and asked that the books
aud accounts be submitted TO them
for inspection. The Treasurer was
absent, and the clerks refused to show.
the books until permission was OBJ |
taincd from their superior Officer
Thereupon the committee immediate
ly applied to the Supreme Court for a
writ of maHdGmus to compel the
Treasurer to deliver up his books and
records for inspection. The writ was
granted, but it was made returna bic |
a day or two after the election. This
defeated the whole scheme, and the |
committee suddenly lost interest in
the proceeding, as Tar as the Sapreme
Court was concerned. With the as
sistance of the New York Suh and /
Trib'tac, however, they denounced
the State Treasurer. as a dishonest
officer who was afraid to let the
people see his books, lest his gigantic
stealings might be discovered. The
active man Of that committee, who |
conducted the correspondence, and
did most of the noisy blowing was
the above-named j Monroe Kreiter. |
Ben. BUTLER rarely takes the floor !
in Congress, but he gives the city /
press a fling, much to the gratifca.
ton of the conductors of those iourn- /
ais, who are constantly striving for
fame, through every and any chan
mel. Therefore, they rather enjoy