Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-08-06
Why Colonel FOrney Went Wrong.

The following letter, now going the
rounds of the press, tells why Colonel
John w. Forney has united with the
Democrats to break down the Republi-
can party. The letter is said TO have
been written by John w. Frazier, of
Philadelphia, who depicts pretty ac-
curately the extent of Colonel Forney's
influence:
"The detection of Colonel John W. Forney
has surprised no one half as much us it has
himself, and it is likely to result profitaby to
no one concerned except Forney. If the es-
pousal of Hancocks cause by Forney results
as disastrously as his support of Hon. Charles
h. Buckalew, the Democratic candidate for
Governor of Pennsylvania i'm l5I2, and of Colo
mel A. X. Mcclure, the Democratic candidate
for Mayor of Philadelphia in 1874, did to these
two men, il will prove a sad thing for Hancock
and the Democratic party that Colonel Forney
became the biographer of Hancock and the
advOcater of both.
"In 1872 Colonel Forney opposed the cleo
tion of General John T. Hartranft. the Repub-
lican candidate for Governoro of Pennsylvania,
with All the power of his eloquent voice upon
the hustings, and his incisive pen through the
columns of his paper-the Press; but the hard
er Forney battled for Buckalew, the more en-
thusiastic the people were for Hartrnaft,
whom they elected by majority of 1857
votes. Three years later Forney and the Press
advocated the election of Hartranft, and
shall say in consequence-his majority over
the Democratic candidate dwtndled down to
12,03O.
- If this we're an Isolated case / would not
now recall it, but in 1874 Colonel John W.
FOrney was Chairman of the Committee in
Philadelphia that managed the campaign OF
Colonel A. X. Mcclure for Mayor of the city.
"From breakfast till dinner time Forney
devoted to committee work-the committee
rooms being in the Press Office for convenience;
from noon till supper time Forney wrote
editorials, hristling with ability, in praise of
Mcclure and in decrying his Republican
opponent. Mr.. Stokely. From supper time
Al 10
gagged in making speeches for Mcclure, and
the day was finished up in sending Press slips
of those speeches to all the other morning
papers of the city; this was about the routine
of business each day, the result of which was
Colonel McClrue was defeated by 2,OOO ma
iority. Three years later Colonel FOrney sup
ported Mayor StOlkely for reelection, who
was it in cOnsequence-escaped defeat by the
skin OF his eeth, as it were, his majority being
only 1900, against 2,OOO when Forney opposed
him.
'sUnder the circumstances General Garfield
ought TO be devoutly thankful that Colonel
Forney is about to contribute so materially To
his election. 1t is the best omen for Garfield
that have seen since his nomination.
" The friends of Colonel Forney place his de-
fection wholly upon the ground of necessity;
it is known that his publication of Progress is
an experiment that has proved IL serious loss
| TO him-much greater than he Is able TO bear.
| Forney lives in large house; the rent must
be paid; the butcher and grocer must have
| their cash; the girls will wear striped SILK
| stockings, and, say the Democratic friends of
| Forney, the Republicans will do nothing for
him; he can't live on air and keep house on
| promises
"The latter part IS true, but the other is an
| imputation on Republicans that Colonel
| Forney ought to make haste to resent. Al
most before he could call himself Repub'
| lican without lisping the word, he was made
| Secretary of the United States Senate. After
| his retirement from the Senate, because of
some troubles of financial chnraoter that
/ would have dishonored the Senate had IL re-
tanned him, President Grant appointed him
| Collector of the Port of Philadelphia mt u
] salary of eight thousand dollars year, and
| when he left that Office for reasons known tC
himself, John Welsh, John Wauamaker and
| fifteen thousand dollars year as the Ameri
can agent of the Centennial Exposition. FOi
! fifteen years, or longer, his paper, the Press
was supported exclusively by Republicans
and, taking all into consideration, L know OF
| no man who has been more kindly treated bS
| Republicans than FOrney, or who was so little
| deserving of their consideration.
! I" n few weeks ago, Colonel FornRy wrote tC
! Secretary-Of-War Ramsey, stating that he
would accept the Postmastership Ot Philadel
phia If il was given to HIM but Ramsey was {
Senator when Forney was Secretary of the
| Senate. and for reasons that he did not max,
public Secretary Ramsey failed to have For
| ney appointed, and in ten days thereafter
will not say in consequence of H-torne!
came out in favor of Hancock. He has beer
| employed to write a 4a2-page biography o
the peerless soldier for which he Is to ge
| S20000 and is also TO be appointed Minister h
be President.
II do not believe Forney would now be 70
/ Hancock had the Post-oliice in this city no
! been denied him."