Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-11-18
The Rings First Attempt at Defense.

The Rings First Attempt at Defense.
The only attempt yet made to meet the
damaging exposure by the JOURNAL of the
cowardly fraud by which the "Wood Coun.
ty fellows" st Bowling Green propose 10
steal what Gui,eau employed the revolver
for, is that Of the Defiance Express. That
paper charncterixes rs "not only false, but
contemplate" the statement that the
names Of prominent and active Republi-
cans IN Puulding and Williams counties
were obtained 10 papers favonng the ap-
po.ntment of Capt, Newton, MS Collector,
by representations that change In that Of
fee had been decided on, and that it only
remained to say who would fill the vacancy
In order to emphasize his testimony in the
case, the editor oil the Express says he is
perfectly familiar with the securing of the
names to that petition in Paulding coun-
ty," but does not pretend to know anything
about the facts in Williams although he
pronounces false" the JOURNALS state
ments rs to both counties alike.
That the Defiance member (bv marriage)
of the Bowling Green ring, should feel
called upon to do something to relieve the
desperate state of that clique, is perhaps
according to nature. And considering that
lie had personal charge of the paper circu-
lated in Pauding county, 1t is equally nat
ural that he should desire to relieve him
self of responsibility for the fraud therein
involved. But he makes bad job of it.
The JOURNALS statement on that point
was based upon the best possible authority
-nothing less than that of several OF the
prominent Republicans Of that county,
who distinctly state, that they signed the
Newton paper upon assurances that it was
only to "fH a vacancy" and not to make
one. OF these, eight subsequently signed n
paper retracting such action Ms taken un-
advisedly, and protesting against change
in the office. If the editor of the Express
has any doubt on that point, let him inter-
view the parties referred to. If he wishes
to extend his examination, we can furnish
him with the names of leading Republic
cans in Williams, Henry and Defiance
counties, some OF whom signed papers un-
der like fraudulent representations and af-
terwards retracted and protested against n
change, while others refused TO sign, even
under the deceptive statements made to
them. Ii the Bowling Green tricksters
would remove their injunction of secresy
from the papers on which they impudently
demand that an officer OF unquestioned
record be removed for their beneft,a plenty
of like cases would no doubt be revealed.
But 1t evidently was TO cover up such, that
they so carefully concealed their scheme
from danger of inspection by any one.
Well do they know, that such exposure
would detect their trick.
We regret that the Express does not say
what il thinks about Office seeking by
stealth. Does it approve such means ?
Can it tell why Capt. Newion's case should
not be as open to examination upon its merits,
as is every other applicants? What but
conscious guilt, could have suggested such
cowardly concealmen in matter of pub
lie concern2 If his papers are what they
should be, anl were honestly obtained why
should he be ashamed of them, and hide
them away under an injunction OF secresy ?
This question has been repeatedly asked OF
that gentleman and his coadjutors, but
without reply. Can the editor of the En-.
press answer it? Dare he undertake to do
so? Will he also tell why Hon. j. b. Rice,
representating portion of the Collection
District equal to that of Judge Richie,
should be denied, as he is, by Capt. Newton,
the privilege even OF seeing those papers,
and Judge Richie forbidden, as he has
been, even to confer with his associate Rep
resentative on the subject? We are the
more free to ask these questions, because
the editor OF that paper has Voluntarily
made himself witness in the case. He
knows of the right to cross-examnation
of all witnesses. Will he respect it?
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