Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-01

been denied one OF our legal rights, as,
though we have met our accuser here. face to
face, he has not manfully, truthfully, or
properly, made such discovery, or given such
an exhibition of readiness to testify, as
ought to be given in case Of this kind"
The case should have come up in the coun-
ty Criminal Court, but it was never pushed
for trial, and the indicted editor had no
further trouble. His paper, however, was not
long permitted to remain hostile to the
"bosses." 1t was purchased from Mr.. Brig
ham for large sum of money by Robert
Mackey, and Immediately became true-blue
stalwart oagan, as it is to-day.
wHITE-wAsHNG CRIMINALS.
Quay retired from the Office of Secretary of
State which he held from January p, 1873,
to November 3, 1873 He caused bill to be
passedby the Legislature establishing the
Office of Recorder of Philadelphia, with
emoluments in excess of $4,000 year.
Naturally he had himself appointed to the
Office as soon as the act was signed by the
Governor. In getting the recordship bill
through the Legislature, Quay lacked two
votes, but he got them, somehow. In April,
1878, Quay moved to Philadelphia. and es-
tablished himself in his new Office. 1t was
discovered, however, that he was more use
full at Harrisburg in an official position.
When Gov. Hoyt came in office, in 1879,
Quay directed him to appoint him Secretary
of the Commonwealth, 1t was done. A bill
was introduced into the Legislature to in
demnify the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany and others for the loss caused by
strikers. The sum of 81 900, 900 was appro-
priated. One-half was to go to the lobby, Of
fetal and otherwise. If the bill became a
law, Quay would have had $4,000, 900 to di-
vide. There was opposition, however. Quay
tried some sharp practice. One of the prin-
cipal manipulators was w. II. Kemble.
Kemble, Emil, Petrof and others were de-
tected as among the corruptors and indicted.
Petroff was tried for bribery and convicted.
The lawyers for the prosecution prepared to
prosecute Kemble. Kemble pleaded guilty,
they we're deprived of the opportunity for an
examination in open court. with the e1-
pectation of obtaining damaging evil
dence against the chief conspirators, Quay
among them. Kemble knew what he was
doing.
When the excitement over the conviction
of PetroG and the self confessed criminality
of Kemble diminished little, Quay displayed
his hand. The State Board of Pardons was
board which was practically in his power.
Quay caused the board to be assembled in
extra session, and without more ado pro;
ceeded to pardon the bribers. 1t is alleged
that Lieut.. Gov. Stone objected seriously to
the scheme. The superior will of Quay domi-
mated. Petrof and Kemble were white
washed for their misdeeds by vote of the
board, which recommended to the Governor
their pardon. Gov. Hoyt, as Quay's obedi-
ant servant, carried out his part. The cul-
prIts were set at liberty. OF this preform-
anoe the New York Tribune said at the time:
"A more insolent defiance of public senti-
ment has not been seen since Tweed asked
the taxpayers of New York what they were
going to do about it"
. EA1r1.rT q
METHODS.
The Indemnity bill had not advanced in
the Legislature. The Senate could not be
got into line to vote for it, although some of
the Senators would have proited largely if
the bill had become law. Quay endeavored
to use lever in favor of the measure the So
called Border Raids bill, which provided in
demnity to residents in Franklin, Adams,
York and Lancaster counties who suffered
from the invasion of the Confederate troops
during the war. He tried to trade votes
from those counties for the Railroad Indemn-
ity bill in return for his promised support of
the Border Raid bill, however, was finally
defeated. Quay at once dispatched to GER
tain high official of the Pennsylvania
Railway telegram which passed over the
private railroad wire to Philadelphia. 1t
said: Indemnity bill defeated. Instruct
designating we'll known editor with q
Scotch name) to attack Border Raids bill"
The Border Raids bill did not pass.
sPEcULATING WITH STATE FUNDS.
Quay had in 1879 enjoyed career of unin-
terupted political success for about fifteen
years. His excess became greater than usu-
al. His private life at Philadelphia and Har-
risburg were such as to cause almost con-
tinual scandal. His losses at cards we're con-
slant, and hard play and hard drinking made
him nervous and irritable. 1t began to be
whispered about that he was breaking down.
His particular crony was j. Blake Walters,
the cashier of the State Treasury. Walt
very fretful. The fact was also noticed that
Amos O. Noys, of Lockhaven, the State
Treasurer, who was to retire from that Office
on May l, that year (1860); seemed to be in
an uneasy frame of mind.
The cause for the nervousness of Messrs.
Quay, Walters, and Noyes was very simple.
Quay and Walters had been speculating in
certain stocks in the New York market with
money belonging to the State, drawn out of
had substituted practically worthless se-
curities in its place. The total deficit was
about $260,00
1t was the turning over of the State Treas.
ury to the newly elected treasurer that had to
be done on May l, 1880, that brought about
crisis in the affairs of Quay and his cronies.
Something had to be done. Accordingly a
certain gentleman (name not stately started
for Harrisburg to see Quay. This friend
found him in his bedroom in an advanced
stage of intoxication. As the landlord put it,
'The old man was in bad way; had been
full for several days" In reply to the ques-
tions of the friend Quay said that "He was
debating whether he should cut his throat or
jump into the Susquehanna River"
He did neither. After he had calmed down
he told the friend the story above narrated.
Quay said the deficit was pretty near $780,
600 (it was subsequently learned to be about
$3.50, ,0O0), and that he feared Blake Walters
would "squeal," or that old ''Square Tim
Der" Noyes would make public the fact of
the embezzlement.
The friend listened to Quay's story. He
told him he would go to Washington and see
Don Cameron. He advised Quay to keep
quiet and cut off his liquor" Senator j.
Donald Cameron had only recently taken his
seat in the United States Senate, succeeding
his father, Simon Cameron. He listened to
the tale told by Quay's friend, and it is said,
gave vent to some very vigorous remarks as
to the conduct of the Pennsylvania Republi-
can boss. To this friend, however, he said:
"Go back to Harrisburg and investigate this