The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-27
COMMITTEEMAN BAILEY.
He Objects to Criticism, and Proposes
Thrash Certain Newspaper Men.

He Objects to Criticism, and Proposes to
Thrash Certain Newspaper Men.
St. Louis Globe Democrat
That General Committeeman W. Ell. Bailey
will rot tolerate any newspaper inquiry into his
methods of handling the contributions received
by the Knights, or his peculiar and original sys-
lem of book keeping, has been demonstrated by
himself On last Friday morning article upon
both subjects appeared in the Globe Democrat.
It dwet particularly upon the manner of re-
csvng moneys sent by mail. and the habit of
members of the committee in carrying large
amounts of cash loose upon their persons en-
bracing in the same connection an interview
with Mr.. Bailey. The following day he met Mr..
e. j. Edwards, representing the New York Sun
at this place, and requested him to tell the re-
porter of the Globe Democrat who had inter
viewed him, and Mr.. Thomas B. Fielders, the
representative of the New York Times, to call at
lhe committee room at Hurst's, as he had some
news he wanted to give them. The significance
Of his sending for Mr.. Fielders lies in the fact
that the Times has also printed description of
the Knights methods of doing business an ex
tract from the article being reprinted In the
Globe Democrat.
The message did not reach Mr.. Felders, but
On Saturday night he called, as was his custom,
ut the committse-room. John Hays, Mr. Bailey's
"
nounced the name Of the visitor. Inside was
nan named Bailey, Pullman car conductor,
II. Brown, and Committeeman w. a. Bailey.
Tell him to come in, said the latter, and
hen Mr. Fieders entered the committeeman
i'd "Take chair" The correspondent did so,
Il when he was seated Mr. Bailey suddenly
It his chair and locked both doors. He was in
state of high excitement, and said he had
matter to settle with his visitor, and that it
might be necessary to determine which was the
best man. The newspaper man retained his
chair and kept cool. He said he had written the
article published in Thursdays New York Times
and republished in Saturdays Globe Democrat.
Mr.. Bailey said it was intended to prove that he
was not honest. Mr.. Fielders said that nothing
of the sort appeared in the article, which was
description of the Knights method of transact
ing business He had no doubt of Mr. Bailey's
personal honesty, he said, but added that the
manner in which the board and joint executive
committee conducted much Of It's business was
town talk Mr. Bailey was not in a condition to
argue point, as he could see only one side of
question, but the interview came to an end with
out q personal encounter.
The fact that Mr. Bailey desired to see
Globe Democrat reporter was not learned at this
pf1ce until yesterday afternoon. One of the
force at once called at the committee-rooms and
knocked at the door of Room 8. He was told to
come in. Inside were Mr. Bailey, Mr.. Brown,
Casper Heep and three unidentified Knights one
Of whom made movement to lock the door but
was stopped. Bailey looked up with a sudden
-!' he said, II want to see you"
''What aboutf
"About this - lie,n he replied spring
ing to his feet opening copy of the Globe
Democrat and pointing to the interview, an arti-
lie on the handling of money. did you write
shat2n
"Yesn
"Dont you know it's 49, lie9'
"No; the facts stated are true
This had the same effect upon Mr.. Bailey that
red flag is supposed to produce upon bull
porter sat- bent his 240 pounds avoirdupois over
t and shook his fist in the visitors face The
rest of the crowd formed a semi-circle around
The seat of war
do you say that have carried money loose
my pocket and pulled it QUIT" beloved Bailey
1t the top of his voice.
The reporter felt the delicacy of the situation,
but the natural candor of the profession impeled
Tim to reply the truth-"Yes.n
What are you looking at me for?' roared the
Committeeman. rembling with rage, and OBJ
iously reaching out for provocation 81 want
on to know that can throw you out of this
ioom."
II came here on your own invitation
Eyes, and by -, I'll throw you out on nv
own invitation, too if want to. You say you
saw our account book in Hays's pocket-another
lie Where did you see THAR
1.-Two evenings ago, when talking to you and
Hays in the Office of this hotel Hays took it
out and showed it to me-"
Hays admitted that such was the case, and
Bailey turned to another part of the article.
"You say money was kept in the lower
drawer Of the wardrobe here. BY 49,, there is
no wardrobe in the room"
A wardrobe about eight feet high, which Mr.
Bailey's state Of mind probably prevented his