The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-25
A FALLEN PILLAR.

A former Pennsylvania, with more
zeal than knowledge or discretion,
rushes to the defense Of Senator Quay
in yesterdays Journal and holly denies
that he was an embezzlsr and thief.
This is more than Quay has done, or
dares to do, for himself. Responsible
newspapers have made the direct charge
against him and he has virtually con-
fessed guilt by silence. The Helena
"Pennsylvanian," who defends Quay in
the Journal says the dedication in
question was discovered when Noyes, q
democrat, was state treasurer andWalters
another democrat, was deputy treasurer.
From this it is argued that Quay was
innocent. "Pennsylvanian" is evidently
ignorant of the exact nature
of the charges against the
administration leader, and for the bene-
fit Of himself and other admirers of the
shattered idol we will quote some of'the
salient points from the New York
Evening Posts article showing how
Quay came to fall.
"Quay had now, in 1870, enjoyed a career
of uninterrupted political success for about
fifteen years, and he became more reckless
His excuses became greater than usual,
and his private habits at Philadelphia and
Harrisburg were such as to cause almost
continuous scandal. His losses at cards
were constant. and hard play and hard
drinking made him nervous and irritable.
1t is said to have been a common question
among those who were aware of what was
going on: "How much did Quay lose last
night?'' At last he became SO nervous that
it began to be whispered about that he was
breaking down. This was in the
winter. His particular e %,oas W at this
the cashier of the state treasury, and
A. Wilson Norris. friend of Walters
(whose name, however, Is not mentloned) is
quoted as saying that Walters was also OBJ
served at this time to be very fretful. Nor
ris also was seen to be in a similarly ner-
yous condition, and Quay was equally dis
turbed, although he was able to and did
drown his care in drink, varying that occu-
patton with frequent visits to certain bro
ker's office in Chestnut street. Philadelphia
The fact was also noticed about this tim.
that Amos &. Noyes c"Square Timber
Noyes) of Lock Haven, the state treasurer
who was to retire from that Office May
that year (1SSO) seemed to be in an uneas,
frame of mind. He was to be succeeded b,
Samuel Butler. of Delaware. Butler ais
turning from visits to the treasury befor,
the date for his entering upon his duties a
state treasurer.
The cause for the nervousness of Messrs
Quay, Walters, and Noyes was very simple
Quay aud Walters had been specializing il
with money belonging to the state, drawn
out of the treasury by Walters, the cashier
who had substituted practically WORTHLESS:
securities in its place. The total deficit wal
about 100000. Noyes, the state treasurer
was regarded as man whose personal in
ocrat of the old school. Walters was in tn
lumber business, but in Harrisburg he fel
in with the fast-drinking, card-playing sc
of which Quay was the head, and quickl
became as dissipated as any of them
Through the influence of Senator William
advice of friends and appointed j. Blak
Walters, cashier of the treasury.
1t was the turning over of the state treas
ury to the newly elected treasurer, that ha,
to be dope May !, 1880, that brought abou
crisnsin.the affairs of Quay and his Gre
MES. Butler, the new treasurer, decline
to take possession of the treasury until
quantity of paper placed therein by Wa
tiers in lieu Of good securities was replace
by cash. An exposure became imminent
the time drew near for Butler to take pc
session of the treasury, and something hs
to be done. Accordingly certain gentl
man (name not stately started for Harri
burg to see Quay. This friend found hi
in his bedroom at the Lochiel hotel in
advanced stage of intoxication and on
partially dressed. As the landlord put
1.-THE old man was in a bad way; had be,
full for several days" In reply to I
questions of friend, Who made his way
QUay's bedroom, as to what was goil
on" Quay said that '.he was debati
whether he should cut his throat or iuI
into the 6uquehanna river"
But he did neither. After he had calm
down little he told the friend the sto
above narrated of the use by himself a
Walters Of state moneys in speculate
Quay said that the deficit was pretty ne
100000 it was subsequently learned TO
about fa60, 00l aud that no feared Bla
Walters would ..squear' or that old "Squi
Timber Noyes would make public the Il
Of the enbexxlement.
We have already quoted from 9th