Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-05-17


REVELATIONS.
RrLlrroSrr, Pa, May 1.-THE writer
of this article is more familiar with and
probably better qualified to relate the
facts connected with what Is known AS
the coffee colored naturalization papers
than any man living, aud doubtless can
give better statement than those who
perpetrutcd the fraud they being OF
such habits and mental calIber ~ to
preclude an ability to rctrnce their own
teps with certainty or satisfaction.
The proceeding, were arranged partly
under my observation. was member
OF the election board where the chief
controversy arose, and the repeated
reference to the subject by the local
press and some campaign orators has
kept the little incidents and facts fresh
in my memory. WAS one Of the Au.
thors OF certain political acts which
were at first legitimate and then per.
yerted into corruption and fraud.
A. ACTUAL FACT.
The fraud charged was an actual fact,
and had its uciplcBcy aud completion
in the following manner: In the year
1867, the extension Of the !, and G..
railroad from Philipshurg in Centre
county 20 ClcarHeld was put under con.
tract and the construction awarded 10
the Collins. Brothers Mark Leddy
was the quarter master and supply
agent for tho construction gang along
the line ! bad Surveyor office in
the Foster building and the civil en-.
cineers Mcssrs. Leui'er i sons had
table room in the Office. and Mark
Leidy ho afterwards became the chief
actor in the fraud had the run OF the
office.
Elections in Philipsbura were Rencr
ally carried for the republicans 10y small
mRiorties. After each election the con.
duct OF some local politicians wss some
what annoying to the democrats and on
one occasion Grape was tied At midnight
to the door knobs Of leading democrats.
THE SECRET kErr TRou SENATOR WALLACE.
In the after part of the summer Of
that year, several local leaders of the
democratic party meeting incidentally.
agreed that il would be a Rood thing TO
protract the work on the section from
philipsburr to the Glc-ffeld county
line, and 10 retain on that division A.
many democratic votes as possible until
after the election "NPa said one
speaker. "aud transfer some from other
parts Of the road u necessary "Iou
had better not let Wallace know any.
thing about such an arrangement, said
4 81 D. n
cause said he, Lewis W. Hall aud
Svoope made such a vigorous and sue.
ccssful fight on Wallace at the last cam.
paign that he will be anxious to retain
all the democratic votes possible in bis
own district" II was then agreed 10
uze lsdiy and retain al the votes posi-.
hlo on the Centre county side and keep
tho secret from Wallace l,eddy gave
his ready consent, and agreed to look
after the matter without further Atteu.
tion. Leddy was at first sincere, but
finally his actions and words were vague
and suspicious Icddy had borne
good character among Us ss n young
man, but b" had Just returned from a
two or three years absence in the hard
coal regions and wc soon found he had
brought back with him habits Of ntem
perance, proaiPacv and some worse
dc ,nquences An that was asked Of
Leddy was to retain on the work OF this
division properly qualified voters and to
keep this steadily IN view in the trans
fer Of lahorers.
rHo aEll URTssEp touSG MS.
A s,hc election approached Lsddy was
visited by two we'll dressed young men,
whom he aitetward spoke Of as friends
from the hard coal regions. but refused
to give their name. Ny approach TO
the office caused them to retire speedily
and ,hov 40 hastily left the place. Led.
dy in ms lrsh joculsr way said they
would get some papers for tho min.
Tbi- was presumed To be certificates Of
record Of naturalization. 4 few days
after Leddy came 70 The office with r.
hundl" Of papers neatly folded, and
holding them IN lis hand said These
are the papers for the boys" Two DAYS
after Lcddy entered the office with the
same bundle of papers, damp and
stained a coffee color. and in jocular
wav sud he hal been over to the kitchen
AIf.' 'f''..'.'.k hiAfAAA 'hA hhh ~ va az HiH
hauI ss.d These papers look older
now ! went over 20 the kitchen tat
the Spread Fagle hotel and dipped
them IN coilrr the revenue stamps are
couvnr loose, | must fix them on
again.
uAEE LEpDY's NEN
The election day arrived, was chosen
as one Of the clerks. Ga my first arri.
val Al the polls ! was met 10y Mark Led.
dy and stranger named Michael omar.
"a, and l,"tidy said The z.a refuse
TO vote unless they are paid we must
have some money" "What for aud
how much money do you want :" | in.
quired. "Weal, they ask sixty dollars
apiece said Leddy. replied "'rhe
men should he patriotic enough to vote
without demand for money-besides
II