The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-01
Pennsylvania Corruption.

Pennsylvania Corruption.
Tho WOLFE investigation at Harrisburg
Is ended and the Committee has reported to
the Legislature. One Of tho last witnesses
was Mr.. QUAY, tho Secretary Of the Com
monwealth. and one OF the two survivors OF
the late trumvirate, MACKEY, KEMBLE, and
QUAY, who, under tho general direction OF
the two CAMERoNs, owned and managed
the Republican party Of that state. He adj
mittod that he had excrted himself to the
utmost In favor OF tho riot damage steal,
that he had concerted measures with the
officers OF the Pennsylvania Railroad, and
that he had cndcavored to log-roll with the
oil mon for their votes; but denied that he
had ever authorized any one TO offer brides
to be paid by him, and earnestly protested
against the use Of his name in association
with KEMBLE's as one Of the paymastors Of
the lobby.
Tho state was not indebted to the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company or To Allegheny
County. 1t had not been judicially ascer-
tanned that Allegheny County was indebted
to the railroad company. On the contrary.
the Grand Jury Of Allegheny County had
found that the damages for which compcn-
consequence Of the firing upon the people
by the troops, and that the troops were
brought on tho ground by the company
ITSELF In pursuance Of n document purport-
ing to bo n Governors proclamation, but
which could not be traced beyond the rail
road Office. In other words. il pronounced the
proclamation n forgery, and pointed to tho
railway officials as the forgcrs. The Gov
ernor was thousands Of miles away, in Wy
oming and it Is said that there was not an
officer of the State Administration in Har-
risburg to authenticate such a proclama-
tion even had there been n Governor in the
state to make one. 1t will be remembered
that Col. SCoIT about that time was not
standing upon triles. He besought HAYES
TO send the Federal army into the Common
wealth without waiting for the constitu-
tional rcquisiticn by the Legislature or the
Governor. These facts, or allegations Of fact,
show very plainly that the company had
reasons for not offering 10 try the issue with
Allegheny County, where the legal RESPONSE
bility rested if anywhere outside the COM
pany itself. A judicial test might have
established something very different from
what was desired. Instead of rcplenishing
might have raised an embarrassing qucs-
tion as to whore the bill for pay, transporta-
tiou and maintenance OF the troops, unlaw-
fully called out, should finally be sent.
But the company had never experienced
any serious difficulty in managing the Lcgis-
lature and it was straightway determined
TO plumber the state OF n sum sufficient to
make good the riot losses. \ lobby was or
ganizcd, with plenty Of money in prospect,
and placed under old and wcll-tried leaders
who were at the same time the heads Of the
Republican party and the chiefs OF the Treas
ury Ring The Democrats employed were
of low degree and unheard of before. But
Messrs. GRAY, KEMBLE. and MAGEE pre-
scented a formidable array on the other side.
and 1t was even reported that Senator CAM
KRoN made n special trip to Harrisburg TO
give them the benefit of his personal coun-
tenancc and encouragement. II was repre-
sentcd by them and their agents on all occa-
sions that the success of the steal would
promote the interests OF the Republican
party. and tine testimony shows that some
members attempted to excuse their votes for
it on that ground.
Mr.. LANG af Allegheny, speaker OF the
House introduced the Riot Damage bill,
and was the leader Of its friends He also
appointed the committee Of investigation,
the ajority Of which turned out as might
have been expected. n committee Of sup
preston. Mr.. WOLFE. however, was named
upon it out Of very shame, and by his efforts
and those OF one other Mr.. ELLIor
body Of terrible evidence has been collected,
despite the shameless and persistent OBJ
g sfN
the House for the printing of this evidence
cost Mr. WOLFE struggle of two weeks.
The ROSTERS rallied to a man 70 smother 1t
altogether, and leave Mr.. WOLFE the UNI
published manuscript for his pains. Then
there was determined, but fortunately UNI
successful attempt to prevent report
The report is before the Legislature.
What will that body do about it?