The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-08-12
THE BUFFALO SLANDER,
Its Authors Covered With Confusion
Henry Ward Beecher Will Take
the Stump for Cleveland.
A jury of Independent Republicans
Will Sit on the Fetid Story and
Give Its Verdict,

NEW YORK, August 6.-The Brook
lyn Union this evening published the fol
low ng dispatch from Peskskill, New
York:
The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher passed
nearly the entire morning in listening
to a statement from General Hnratio C..
King, of Brooklyn G neral King has
Just returned from Buffalo, where he has
been engaged in making for Mr. Bepcher
a careful investigation Of the scandalous
stories in circulation about Governor
Cleveland. The result OF his inves iya-
ton is entirely favorable to the Cover
nor, and Mr.. Beecher is highly delight
ed.
To 4 Union reporter Mr.. Baecher said
this morning: Il have been undergoing
judicial process. l have been way
down in the mud, bnt now the clouds
are breaking away, and | am beginn NO
to understand that these stories about
Governor Cleveland are untrue and a
vile slander. You can say that expect
to brand The men who havs promulgated
them as black m silers and liars; for /
now expect the G vernon acted the part
OF man in this affair I shall take the
stump for him and tell the people of
this country that they must elect him
President. ! shall enter this campaign
with an enthusiasm second only to that
with which entered the war. Take my
word for It, this scandal. If false, will
make Governor Cleveland President"
Mr.. Beecher said that he felt like an.
other man sirce his talk With General
King. and that great weight had been
lifted off his mind. No one can be
found to father the calumnies except the
gentleman known in Buffalo as Elder
Ball, pastor Of small Baptist Church,
and formerly an employe in the Custom.
house. Ball is best described as q po-
litical striker. In 1881 he demanded
and received $50 FOR alleged services to
the Independent Republicans In q re-
cent canvass he begged $3.50 from Sena
tor Titus AMI like sum from H. R
Jones, County Treasurer, both Demo-
Gratis.
Oae Of the stories circulated by Ball
relates to an occurrence twenty.four
years since, an innocent frolic, in which
the participants we're legal chums OF the
q )vernor, and there was no woman
present. A committee Of three inde-
pendent Republicans. composed OF q
leading clergyman, lawyer and mer.
chant, on Monday demanded OF the
editor OF the Buffalo Telegraph the
proofs which he ssid he was ready 10
produce He Was greatly alarmed, and,
on the plea OF sickness, asked for delay.
The committee will make thorough in
vestigstion and give the facts to the
public over their signatures 8, soon ss
the Telegraph gives Its replv.
The Dr.. Mitchell who figures with
Ball as a supporter OF his charges is
from Washington, and is an intimate
friend of Mr.. Blaine. He has heen IN
ALBANY but three wears, more than half
of which. time Governor Cleveland haa
baen in Albany. He has publicly ad
mitted that he knows nothing except bv
hearsay. and his informant is Ball. F
D. Iocke. partner of Sherman L Rogers.
and an iniimste friend of Mitchell, has
Withdrawn from his church, and other
leading members have also Withdrawn
until he publicly retracts bis statements.
Tuere is much excitement 10 Buffalo,
and the most prominent people denounce
the authors of the slauders
The report Of the committee may be
expected in a day or two.