The daily gazette., 1880-03-30

10 make announcer bucO Dlunu6f.
PENNsYLvANIA's DISGRACE. - BaG
men have held the State of Pennsylva
ia'under their heel as in a vice evei
since the Democratic party under the
influence of James Buchanan lost its
control of political affairs there. Cam
eron and his men have revelied in
crime and in wealth, and the wonder
is how the people endured the corrup-
tion so long. The Legislation, reports
have said was yearly bought and sold at
Harrisburg. Cameron was known to
have committed some of the most open
acts of bribery with impunity. At last
affairs became SO desperate that action
had to be taken and the result is the
conviction of two of those rascally Re-
publican politicians. They confessed
and pleaded for pardons by the Gov
ernor, but were not successful and
when cited to appear in court yester-
day, at Harrisburg, to receive sentence
it was found that they had fed the
State, and warrants were issued for
the arrest of the fugitives. W. H.
Kemble, the chief criminal, who is
now fleeing from justice, is estimated
to be worth 81, ,000, 900, and whose an
nual income is nearly 100000. He is
the president of the Peoples Bank of
Philadelphia, and also president of the
Union and Continental passenger rail
way companies of that city. When
the late r. W. Mackey was State Trea-
surer the Commonwealth deposits in
Kemble's bank sometimes aggregated
81, 300, 600 This money was loaned
at a good percentage, and both the
State Treasurer and the bank profted
largely by the deposits. In 1865 KEN
BILE was elected State Treasurer by the
Legislature and held the position for
three years.
During his official career, five per
cent. gold bearing State bonds were
converted into six per cent. currency
bonds and he made good fortune by
the operation.
kemble has been one of the most in
fuential republican politicians In the
State, and was a memDer of the Repuhli-
can National Committee, resigning a
few months ago to make way for Senator
Cameron. During the session of the las.
Legislature he came to Harrisburg to
lobby the $4,000,000 Riot Relief bill
through that body Tor the PENNSYLVANIA
Railroad Company. At first few mem
bsrs outside OF Philadelphia and ALE
gheny favored its passage hut as its con-
sideration progressed its supporters
gradually increased in number until its
passage appeared inevitable. That money
was being used to convert members yery
few doubted.
At the most critical period Representa-
tive wolf, an anti Cameron republican.
announced that corrupt means were
being used to pass the measure and an
Investigation was instituted. The bill was
defeated and corrupt practices exposed.
kemble was placed on the stand and
denied that he had offered money to any
member, but three republican Legislators
swoie be had attempted to bribe them
with sums ranging from $75 to $4,000.
Several other members indirectly i'm
plicated him. The recent settlement of
the claims resulting from the Pittsburg
riots shows that there was a clean steal
of nearly $2,000,000 in the Riot Relief
bill. Kemble is about fifty-tive years
old, and of small statue.
W. r. Rumbergef. another OF the
fngitiyes from justice, is sixty years of
age, and was a member of the last Leg
islatpre. He endeavored to bribe fellow
member, who led him into a trap and
then exposed him and Kemble. He came
nerr being expelled.
Emile j. Petroff, also fugitive, was
expelled from the Legislature several
years ago for agreeing to buy fifteen
members for $500 for certain bill,
but his constituents reelected him by an
inceased majority. A majority. of the
House voted for his expulsion, but the
measure failed to receive the requisite
two-thirds votes to expel him from the
last Legislature for corrupt solicitation
Of two members. Petroff is about thirty-
three years old.
Charles b. Salter, another fugitive, ia
an ex-member of the Legislature, and
was one Of Kemble's principal agents.
Eight members swore that he made
corrupt proposition to them. lie is about
thirty-iive years old.
Jesse X. Crawford, the fifth fugitive,
Is nearly seventy years old. He en-.
deavOred to bribe three members.
Kemble, Salter, Crawford and Rum
berger pleaded guilty three weeks ago TO
save SEINE prominent politicians and
railroad officials from exposure and on