Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-10-02

Seeking TO Establish the Truth OF
the KembIe Bribery story.

the Kembie Bribery story.
HARRISBURG, PA Sept. "a The truth
fulness OF a statement in the Harrisburg
Patriot, charging bribery, on the alleged
authority OF Charles II. Bergner, former
editor and proprietor Of the Harrisburg
Telegraph, on James g. Blaine, while
speaker Of House Of Representatives,
having been questioned by number OF
journals, suit for libel was instituted
yesterday against GEORGE D. Her
bert, the author Of the article,
with the view Of establishing its
truth by the testimony of several wit
nesses. W. D. Seller and Elbridge
MoConkey, secretaries Of the State Agri
cultural Society, Samuel Kunksl, teller
in the Mechanics Bank Of Harrisburg,
F. A. Boehmer, business man
Of this city, were subpenaed
to appear at hearing this
afternoon at Alderman Fagar's office.
ALI were present, but no one had an op.
portunity OF testifying, owing to the action
Of District Attorney McCsrrell, who as
sumed control of the case. Samuel ].
Anderson, q detective, entered the suit,
bnt the district attorney, In the interest
of Mr.. Bergner, claimed jurisdiction. He
objected to any testimony except 70 es.
tablish the proof of publication, and the
alderman declined TO take action on the
case until he had further informed him
self as to his authority In the premises.
The hearing WAS therefore continued until
| next Monday afternoon.
The article whose truth it Ia sought TO
establish by sworn testimony disclosed
that Charles Il. Bergner stated few
months ago to q number Of persons that
| Blaine was defeated for the nomination
for Pres ident In 1876 beeAuSe Of revela'
tion made by William II. Kemble, one Of
the delegates to the Cincinnati concen-
tion from Philadelphia Bergner's alleged
story was substantially as follows: The
indications pointed to Blaine's nomipa,
tion. The Pennsylvania delegates retired
for consultation. Kemble said II would
not do to nominate Blaine be
oouse of his corrupt official record
He (Kemble) himself had had some rela
tions with Blaine as speaker, which were
represented by two cancelled checks. 81,
exhibited one for s5 600 and another fo
$2,500, which amounts he had given Il
Blaine for ruling on measure in whici
he (Kemble) WAS interested. Thes
checks, Bergner is alleged to have said
were in his hands during the sitting 0
the convention. According to Kemble'
statement both checks were payable I
Blaine's order, signed by Kemble and In
dorsed by Blaine.
FROM THE TELEGRAPH FOUR YEARS AGO.
Germane to this topic is the followin
extract from "an editorial telegram iror
chicsgo to the Harrisburg Telegraph
June LIST, $780," which paper is mo-
masticsting the unsavory crow an
. booming for Blaine with All It's might
It is currently charged that Bartlett
secretary of Senator Blsine's COMMITTEES
? was using money, Jay aould's money
. is called, to irfuenoe delegates.
e course know nothing as to the truth
= this charge, hut know that two Peni
Q sylvanis delegates were offered $4,000
9 disobey their instructions and the OH
+ came from two Pennsylvanians who II
gave their names would be recognized
= reformsrs In county adjoining our owl