The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-13
FOLLY OF FORAKER.
How He and Halstead Became
a Forger's Dupes.
THEIR INTENTIONS ALL RIGHT
Congressional Committee on the Ballot.
Box Forgery Acquits Every One
but "smoke Inspector We GODS.

WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. 1.-THE report
OF the bailot-box committee, which at the
last session made an extensive investiga-
ton into political affairs in connection
with the alleged subscriptions by members
OF congress of stock in patent ballot-box,
was today presented to the House by
Chairman Mason. The main report,
which is signed by all the members of the
committee, finds that the alleged contract
was prepared by Richard e. Wood: that
all the signatures thereto were forged, and
that Frank Willard and Frank Davis were,
without evil intention, instruments in the
transaction, and that Wood uttered said
forgery for the purpose of procuring Gov
e-nor Foraker's recommendation of him
self to the mayor of Cincinnati for
appointment TO the Office of smoke
inspector. The committee further finds
that Governor Foraker and Murat Hal
stead aided in uttering said forgery by
publishing ii in the Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette, but ilnds that neither Foraker nor
Halstead, in uttering the forgery, knew
the same was forgery. The committee
hnds that no one of prominence whose
name appears on said alleged contract had
or has, either directly or indirectly, any
unlawful, corrupt or improper, or any
other connection with or interest in the
bailot-boxes, which are said to be subject
OF the alleged contract, and there never
was any other contract relating to the
said ballot-boxes In which either of these
persons, alone or jointly with others, was
In any way interested.
supplementary report, signed by all
the members except Chairman Mason,
finds that the conduct of Wood during the
negotiation with Foraker declared his de-
pravlty. They also believe that careful
scrutiny of the face of the forged paper
must have shown its false character. The
high stations attained in public affairs by
the persons whose names were forged
should have suggested verihcation of the
corrupt paper before it was uttered or pub
llshed. The publication showing Camp
bells name and suppressing the other
signatures was almost as bad as the origi-
nal fabrication of the paper. The entire
incident, the members say, is one of the
political methods deserving the condemna-
ton of all parties and all good citizens.
Chairman Mason, III a miniorty report,
docs not agree with these additional find
ings. He does not see that careful scru-
tiny OF the forged paper must have shown
It's false character.
1t IL easy, he says, to know now, in January,
1891, what ought to have been known in Sep
TENDER, 1889, whether or not Foraker and Hal
stead mistreated the gentlemen outraged by the
forgery by not seeing them personally. 1t is
question of ethics not involved i'll the investiga-
ton, nor does it throw any light upon the sub
jeot. As to the uttered forgery, being deceived
Is the only offense of Halstead and Foraker.
They have each made reputation and character
equal, perhaps, to any of the gentlemen who
were outraged by the forgery. Since they found
they were deceived they have done all in their
power as honorable men to make amends To
ask more seems TO me unjust.
Chairman Mason respectfully protests
against censure of his associates in the adj
ditional findings summarized above.