West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-07-21

stands virtually conceded by Hoge.
But Hoge cunuingly connects an
otner proposition witL that Of Payne,
to'w't an obligation TO transfer his
friends; a proposition never submit
tod 10 bin, and submits his denial to
the proposition so altered by himself.
Judge Hoge says in his Monroe let
ter, Il have come recollection Of ad-
ding, that | did not know that |
would care to serve second term
IN Congress" A most remarkable
stretch Of recollection indeed and
singularly in contrast with bis pres
ent avidity to return TO the flesh
pots Of Egypt.
7. Judge Hoge eays-"Expressing
my confidence in Mr. Payne, 1 asked
HIM to make a contemporane Gus
memorandum of our conversation :"
Why make any memorandum, If the
proposition had been rejected ? Such
course would be idle and sense ess
in the extreme. II was only because
the proposition was accepted, that
there could be any sense in reducing
the compact or treaty to writing. It
was reduced 10 writing by PAYNE at
Hoge's request Why at Hoge,s
suggestion? The reason il obvious.
Such contracts have been often made
before, and just as often broken.
Hoge was conscious Of the faint OF
bad faith attached 10 all such arrange
ments. Elattd with the idea of seat in
Congress, not then looking beyond his one
term, and anxious 10 secure that, he wac
prompt, by way of showing his good
fsitb, to suggest that the arrangement
should be reduced to writing, that no sus-
piciou might rest upon him, that he
would do what so many others had done
before him "kick the ladder of his ascent
from under him" when he had attained
his desired elevation.
1t was to disarm all suspicion in the
minds of the friends of Lucas-to
strengthen their confidence ia him-and
to furnish them the highest assurance
that he meant to act fairly and honorably
with them, that he made the suggestion
to put it in writing.
Judge Hoge is precluded, as a man of
honor, from coutesting the memorandum
Of Mr. Payne. That gentleman, by his
agency, virtually gave him his two years
lease of a scat In Congress.
In the first flush of his gratitude he
constituted Payne the mutual agent be
tween Lucas and himself to reduce the
asreemeLtto writing and to b. its custo
dian. 1t was done. Tia, it Was done
truthfulIy and honorablY, no one will
question who knows Mr. Payne. In
Hoges letter0to Payne of the 90 of De-
cember, 1885,, he says "having absolute
confidence in you, am content to abide
your statement" and yet, for the past two
months he has been wrrgglng, twisting
and qubbliDg 10 dscredit what was virtu.
ally his own act and TO falsify his own
declaration OF absolute conf ience" in
his own appointed agent.
But why discuss such minor details,
when the facts which openly and notori
ously transpred at Fairmont, II &c the
whole case beyond controversy In if
teen minutes after Payne's final interview
with Hcge, and scarcely giving Lucas
time to announce tho arrangement To his
friends, Mr. Lucas is seen TO rise i'm the
Convention TO withdraw his name from
the list of candidates, and to cast his
strength upon Hoge, thus securing his
nomination. Can any man believ. that
anything short Of the absolute and I'm
qualified acceptance of Payne's PROPOSE
ton, could 80 promptly, and 10 so short a
space of time, have lulled the angry ele
ments OF contention, aud have brought
about such result in favor OF Nr. Hog ?
The idea is preposterous. Lucas III
thus volunteering to withdraw from the
contest, was necessarily master of the
situation. He could dictate his terms
and Hoge was then too glad TO accept
them as he hereby secured what he could
never have otherwise obtained. No one
can compare tho respective statements
made by Payne and Hoge without reach.
log the conclusion that the statement of
Payne bears upon its face intrinsic evi-
dence of its truth, and az emau ating from
a source having no motive for mis-
representation where that Of Judge Hoge
is marked by unfair aud cunning presenta-
ton of the Issues, ingenious CLOSING, eau
tious suggestion, want Of candor and a
greedy desperation (at the expense Of his
good faith) to hold onto the Office and its
DeTquisites.