The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-02
A VERY SALTY LETTER.
What Col. 8. X. Donavin Knows as to tn
Method of Senator Payne's Election,

What Col. s. X Donavin Knows as to the
Method of Senator Payne's Election.
Washington Letter.
Coi. ). 4. Donavin, a prominent Democrat of
Ohio, one Of the leaders of the Thurman wing of
the party has written to Senator Payne a letter.
which is made public tonight. 1t is very salty.
The impression here is that it is part of the pro-
gramme looking to an investigation of circum-
stances under which the coal oil Legislature
elected Payne United States senator. Colonel
Donayin writes: at is singular fact in the
history of the State of Ohio that they who have
senatorl with one exception. have been men emf
nently fitted for it, and, what is still more
matter of congratulation, were elected without
corruption This last expression compels me to
meet an issue which I intended to raise. You,
sir, are the exception. The place you now fill
was not honorably nor honestly attained.
In truth, sir unfortunately for you,
and still more SO for the State of Ohio, you are
filing place from which honor would stand
aghast were it asked to assume it. Let US 60
together into the campaign of 1883. Two para
mount objects were involved. The one was the
election of George Hoadly fer Governor, and the
other was the election OF Legislature which
would return George 81. Pendleton to the United
tanned. The first found frution in the inaugu-
ration of George Hoadly. The people were
cheated out of the latter During the canvass
your name was not mentioned in connection
with the United States senatorship. unless it
was done in whisper. The great public did
not hear of it, otherwise it is altogether proba
BILE that the Republicans would have had ma
jority in the Legislature. A few weeks
before the Legislature convened. a num-
Der OF men, whose names l will give you
when you ask for them. made mysterious Wis
Its through the State. The purpose of their Wis
it's was to corrupt the men who had been elected
as Democratic members Of the Legislature. They
succeeded. In the early days of the week i'm
medlately preceding the meeting of the Legsla-
ture certain gentlemen presented themselves at
the Neil House, in the city Of Columbus, profess
ing to be your friends. To your credit sir, you
We're not present, but your close intimates were.
Your son, Colonel Oliver. was there. Colonel
Thompson and John Huntington were there.
These gentlemen are, or were at the time con-
nected with corporation known as the Standard
Oil Company. l had never been attached to the
fortunes of Mr. Pendleton, but in fight such as
presented itself in January 1884, in the city of
Columbus, o.. attached myself to his cause.
Where else could go9 Your campaign, as con-
Quoted by your son and his Etimates, presented
a startling exhibition. Every essential to
great contest for such great honor was absent
except one.
The only duaitv- nresent was money. That
quality your friends exhibited in in the most Law
ish profusion. 1t is necessary to expend money
in almost every political contest 1t should be
used only for the absolute necessities connected
with the campaign. Will you pardon a diver
slon! nave In my MINUS eye TWO campaigns
which were made for Congress in the State of
Ohio. One was made by young Democrat,
named in what was known as the Thurman
Cailicothe district. That campaign cost less
than $500. The other campaign took place in
later years. in a district in the northern part
of the State If your memory is not duled by
years, you will remember it. I do not think
that you made any expenditure in the canvass.
but he who was the candidate of the
Democratic party had sons, and they were
rich in themselves, and run elections for their
ambitious father 1t would surprise you were
to tell you of the fabulous sums that were spent
TO secure the triumph of the father. In ex-
treme.y vulgar parlance. the old man got there
after an expenditure of money compared to that
of which have spoken, the relation is
the rivulet to the mighty river. Pardon the d.
version It seemed necessary. but indeed l do
not behave there is any relish in it for you.
Senator Payne, I must pause here. am going
to spare you the cruelty of recital Of the modes
and methods which were used to secure your
nomination in the Democratic caucus Neither
will / recite the unutterable shame that fell
upon the party when the decree of the caucus
was confirmed by the Legislature.
Colonel Donavin subscribes himself ''o1e
whom you have deceived net once, but many
times