The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-10-04
Another Lie Nailed.
General Coffroth Vindicated
and the Liars Exposed!
The CddeLship Story COntrddicfed
on the Cadet and his Brother!

The following false and malicious charge
was made against General Coffroth by he
Johnstown Tribune General Campbell S
orgau) in its issue of September 18th
Prominent among the disreputable acts of
the Democratic nominee for Congress- stands
the Naval Cadetship sale. We do not orig
mate this charge, nor do we allude TO II sim
ply as a charge, but we go further and name
it as a fact. substantiated by sworn testimo-
ny elected ir the course of Congressional
iuvesti CATION, conducted under the auspices
of the XLIVth Congress-a Democratic Con-
gress. The history of this case is as follows ::
William Lilly, a Democratic attorney-at-
law, then now resident of Washington
City, purchased Of Alexander H. CoffrOth,
while ihe latter was member of Congress,
the nomination to Naval CadetShip for a
young man named BERWIND, who pro-
fessed to be resident of SaxtOn, Bedford
county, in Mr.. CUffroth's s Congressional dis
:rict. For this service Mr.. Lilly received
81 200 from Mr.. BERWIND'S friends or
relatives, which he agreed to divide with
Mr.. Coffroih When lie proceeded to pay
Mr. Coffroth the 5000 due TO him, Mr.. Cof-
froth borrowed $500 or $500 of Mr.. Lillv's
share and neCer repaid him the amount so bOr-
rOCed, thus realizing $500 or $500 for his
services by piece of sharp practice. This
occurred during the years of 1864 to 1866
and the facts in the case, though often su5-
pected, were not really made public until an
investigation In 1876 accidentally revealed
the Ubiquitous transaction.
The following letters, which came into
Gen. CoffrOth's possession on Friday last,
show how utterly false and malicious the
above infamous attack of the Tribune is
JOHNSTOwN, PA. Sept. 26, 1873
Hon. A. Fl. COFFROTH, Somerset. Pa:
DeIT Su-I enclose letters from the Mcssrs
BeTwind bearing the charges made in the
JohnStOwn HeeilH Tribune of the 18th inst.
have made inquiries from a sense of duty,
as ] was mainly Instrumental in sending Mr.. f.
J, Berwnd to you for his appointment.
The letters are fun and emphatic in the total
humiliation of the Lilly assertions.
From long acquaintance with these gentle
men, beg 10 assure you that you can place the
fullest confidence in them. What they have
stated in these letters will be, if necessary, sup
DlemenJed in any legal shape that may be de-
manded. They are high-tOned, moral gentle
men. Very respectfully, JOHN FULTON.
JoHNsTowN, PA, Sept. 20. 1878.
f. ]. BERwTSD, ESQ.,:
Dear Si-l enclose you copy of the Johns
town Weekly Tribune. In IL you will see some
very serious charges made against Hon. A. II.
COtfrOth on HccOuutOf your appointment TO the
Naval Academy at Annapolis.
As gave you u letter of introduction to Gen.
COHrO:h, am drawn slightly into this political
storm CIRCLE
| write you, therefore, to inquire If these
charges are true or untrue. Did your parents
reside in New York State? Did you pay or
cause to be paid to Gen. COffrOth AI 200 for your
appointment? Did you or your agents, by VIII
liam Lilly, pay for your appointment in cash,
in any other wayI
Please look over LIlly's sworn statement and
let me know the truth or faIsity of it. / feel
cent in this matter.
Very truly, JOHN FULTON