Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-03
Pan-Eiectric craftsmanship.

The report of the republican minority OF
the committee appointed to investigate the
PAN Electric telephone scandal is the most
damaging Indictment ever brought against n
government official in this country. 1t ex-
presses the deliberate conclusions of four of
the nine members of the committee, formed
after a patient and searching investigation
into all the facts and circumstances connect
ed with the subject. The clear, convincing
way in which the case against Attorney
general Garland and his fellow Pan-Electric
Statesmen is presented must carry conviction
t, the minds of any unprejudiced persons
who may have had honest doubts on the mat
ter before. The charges are neither met nor
answered by the majority report drawn by
Congressman Boyle of this State and which
10 published this morning.
The most hardened partisan, though op-
posed politically to the party to which all the
men concerned in this scandal belong, might
we'll wish that the country had been spared
the disgrace. He must. indeed, be cool of
blood who can read Congressman Ranney's
concise marshaling Of facts, and note how
they lead on without the slightest faltering to
one inevitable conclusion. and not feel a
blush of shame mantling his cheek. Here is
the Attorney General of the United States
shown by his own letters and evidence and
by the evidence of the elder Rogers to have
been deliberately bribed to loan his name and
the influence of his office to bolster up a
scheme which he, knew was wholly specua-
tive.
The facts in this stupendous swindle have
all been laid before the public, but this re-
port presents them for the first time 10 an
orderly and systematic way, together with the
sworn testimony supporting them. II shows
Mr. Garland cooily accepting the price of
fered for his name and influence, writing let
tiers endorsing the Psu-Electric enterprise in
order that innocent persons might be drawn
into the scheme and bled, and when his part
ners wanted the aid Of the Government in
breaking down a successful rival stepping
aside opportunely while a subordinate gave
the necessary permission. The evidence is
complese; not link is wanting to the chain.
the entire conspiracy by which it was sought
to prostitute department of the Governmen ut
to private ends.
This report of the investigating committee
comes at an inopportune time for the demo-
Gratis. They are now holding numerous
State conventions and passing resolutions
laudatory of the purity of Mr.. Cleveland's
administration and condemning with we'll as
sumed indignation the alleged corruptions Of
republican rule. To be compelled at just
this time to meet the proof of the most scan
dalous transaction which has disgrsced the
government must be demoralizing II Mr..
Cleveland is so pure statesman as bis adj
mirers would have the people believe why
does he retain in his official family man
with so badly damaged reputation as Mr..
Garland? If the democracy is so free from
corruption why was Its first years control of
scandal? 1t will need something more than
glittering generalities in party platforms to
satisfy the people on these two points
Philadelphia Press.