Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-07-21
PURCHASE OF VOTERS


Po1lrDaAL PLANS IN c1.RARu1ELD.
An Arrangement to ast the Knishts Of
Labor Vote fer General Beaver.
Clearneld Dispatch to the Times.
Last Wednesday Miles McPadden was
arrested at Phillipsburg, charged with
conspiracy to prevent willing workmen
from pursuing their avocation. he was
bound over in the sum Of q, 900 to appear
for trial. Subsequently Con. Cotter, John
Catherw00d and man named Faasley
we're arrested and in default Of bail were
committed to Jail. This occurred on Fri
day. On Saturday Colonel D. H. Hastings
arrived here. The labor organization has
always heretofore bean represented
by Barfet & Son. It Was reason
able TO- expect that any legal proceed
ipgs would be inaugurated by this firm.
Colonel Hastings had never previously ap.
peared in court here, and his legal repu.
tation is not such as to make his employ.
ment in any way necessary. But in this
case Messrs. Barrett & Son, the senior of
which firm has occupied > seat on the
bench, and both are distinguished for
legal acumen, were not consulted.
Upon the arrival of Colonel Hastings
the Knights Of Labor surrendered the
management of their case to him. He
employed Mr.. T. H. Murray, who is Re-
publican and personal friend of General
Beaver. Under the counsel of these gen.
tlemen q writ of habeas corpus was ap
piled for. Upon the hearing on the mo-
ton for the writ after argument the
court hold the accused to bail in the sum
of $500 each, and they were remanded to
custody until the bail was entered.
At this point the peculiar services Of
General Beavers neighbOr and Chairman
Cooper's ambassador, Colonel Hastings,
were developed. He canvassed the town,
soliciting bondsmen. To the active Re,
publicans he pleaded eloquently in behalf
of the pet scheme. To the personal friends
of Gen. Beaver he emphasized the value of
such a service in such an emergency. FL
nally DIR. Hartwick yielded to his impor-
tunities and consented, out of love for the
Stalwart candidate, TO sign the bond. Mr..
Murray was applised Of the triumph and
the three visited the Jail to execute the
bond in the presence of tho prisoners.
When tho doctor saw them, however, he
relented. Timidity got the upper hand of
patriotism and he begged of. Then Col.
Hastings was driven to another expedi-
ent. He summoned the leading partisans
to caucus and commanded in the name
of the party that they jointly make up the
bail. Among those who attended the caucus
was Samuel j. Row, who was yesterday
appointed postmaster. To him tho colonel
addressed himself. He dilated upon tue
fact that as prospective party beneficiary
it was his duty to help the organization.
But the expectant postmaster was ada
mant. Tho others were equally irrespon
sive aud the caucus adjourned. The
Bellefonte ambassador was in despair.
Hope was OOzing out and he turned to his
colleague, Mr.. Murray, with plaintive
plea to throw himself into the breach.
Murray demurred aud alluded feelingly to
his lifelong practice of refusing to bail
anyone. He cited the record Of a long
professional career in testimony of this
fact, but it only inspired Hastings to
greater eloquence aud more fervid i'm.
portunity. At last Mr.. Murray succumbed
and, under the assurance that it would
secure the votes of the Knights of Labor
to General Beaver, he signed the bond aud
tho prisoners were released.
1t is an open secret here that an under
standing has been arrived at between the
organization ON the one side and tho Re.
publican committee on the other. The
agreement is that, in consideration of tho
entire vote of the organization being
thrown for Beaver, the Republican com
mittee is to guarantee protection to these
men and any others Of the order who may
be charged with conspiracy. The plan is
to secure release from prison by bail when
arrests are made, immunity from trial
when that is possible, and protection after
conviction if the other fails. Those who
call to mind the riot bribers will under
stand the significance of this promise. The
first step in the programme has been sue
cessfully carried out. How nearly it failed
only those know who closely watched the
operations Of Col. Hastings while here.