Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-02-17

living fsfbsas my ~ making any per,oua
explanation. Sanssl Gastise Thompson
. member d he Philsdslphia bar. ari
president Of ~ Yesne Men's Democfasie
associasioa Of that city. 10 one ef the sev-
efal thoroughly scoavefsAnt With the facts.
and who can give them 70 The public Il they
| sse proper. co1e nov 10 What might be
called the fourth ground Of criticism of my
Pablo csnducs.
This vas ny action = . member Of the
board u pardons of Pensyivania In vetios
for the pardon Of certain memhers Of the
Pennsylvania leeislatuss and ethsrs upcn
whom sentence had been passsd for bribery
Ny eondncs In that matter has been bitterly
assailed and Il 10 proper 70 cay that the
facts were patent to the people and we're
thoroughly discussed before my slsc.
ton 10 the ONCE Of stase treasurer and sub.
seqaensly 10 sess 10 this chamber. had
no psrsonal interest in the Legislation in
volved.
NY vote, - . member Of the Board Of
Pxrdons. in accordance With the Law and
action Of my colleagues. compelled BY the
fact that this sentence imposed BY the cou,,
upon persons pafdoned, vas illegal. Upon
this point the attorney. general Of state
aled written opinion with our decisioa
have no regrets for that vote. but woul3
repeat il under the same circumstances.
Even had not the sentence been unlaw-
full. iss my opinion the ends OF justice we,e
fully served BY conviction Of iefendenss
One Of the gentlemen involved within the
last few weeks received the unanimous
thanks Of the Pennsylvania Legislature for
important services rendered for humanity
and state.
Incidentally the statement wss made in
some unspecided manner that procured
or attempted TO procure. the pardon Of .
man named Lynch. under sentence for
forgery, by threats delivered personally TO
Mr.. Byefs Of rittsburg. cannot at this
day remember the facts or pendency Of the
case. and the charge 10 . lie, fer
which there never vas the shadow
Of . foundation. Equally false is
the wonderous lyric Of my escape
from Pittsburg rioters in 1877 under
the tutelxge OF Dalzell, II 10 necessary TO
psss to history somewhat ancient in order
to dispose Of the nebulous charge Of brib.
cry and corruption, ~ member Of the
Pennsyivania legislature nearly 25 years
ago, in connection with an action for libel
against the then editor Of the Pittsbnyg
Commercial. With characteristic maligni-
ty my assAilsnts are careful 10 emphasze
the fact that the case was never pushed for
trial.
They fail to state the libel 10 retraced,
and the defendants pleaded nolle contend
ere, paying the costs Of court and tees of
the counsel. In preliminary hearing an
effort was made to show the innendo being
that my wealth was unlawfully acquired.
was prothonotary Of Beaver county from
1856 to 1861, when l resigned to 70 into
the Union army, served - private secre-
tary to Gov. Curtin. a. military agent OF
the state in this city and a. chief Of state
denAYtment, transport .sfion and telegraph
f0f three years under the Pennsylvania
Legislature,
= My recollection is. the examination dis
years Of industry and opportunity, that my
fortune was about $4,000. 1t 10 proper,
also, to disposc Of some statements upon
which less stress is laid. One accusation
10 that over twenty years ago l attempted
to bribe Alexander p. Tuition, then super
visor of internal revenue for the eastern
district Of Pennsylvania, to prevent the
seizure Of an Illicit dislillery.
This 10 wicked aud malicious false.
hood, without excuse for utterancc or evil
dence for support. Tuition 10 now living
in Downington, Pa, and his reports are on
Sle, presume, in the internal revenue
bureau.
A statement was made when the present
high license statute of Pennsylvanla Vas
pending In the Legislature Of that state. thss
the liquor dealers of Pbiladelphia and
Pittsburg raised sum specified ~ $50, 900
and gave II to me and to federal officer Of
Philadelphia, not named, for the purpose
Of securing an amendment TO that legisla-
ton in their interest.
This I denounce as an absolute false-
hoed. William J. Friday. who 10 stated to
have paid money, is reputable merchant.
now living in Pittsburg.
Finally reach the charge that in some
mysterious way | brought about the defess
of the proposed amendment to the consti-
tuition Of Pennsylvania prohibiting the sale
of Intoxicating liquors in that state, which
was submitted to . vote of the people in
1889.
Others, understand. have already ex-
ploded the silly fAlsebood Of the publication
from which this charge arose, and / epeci
fcally denied II at the time it appeared
By 10Y vote alone did affect the verdict Of
the people upon probibitoSy amendment; !;
nor had ever, in any contest, any cor
rupt or Unlawful concern with liquor or any
other merchant interest concerned in legis.
lation, constitutional or otherwise, in Penn
sylvaris or elsewhere.
have cpdaavored to answer every spe-
ciHc charge of misfeasance or mAlfeAsance
thst could be extracted from q careful Pc
fussl Of mass Of direct falschood, con.
fused statements, innuendo, insipustion.
and cunning implication that with industry
are worthy Of better cause, gathered to-
gether for my destruction. deny them
seriatim and in toto; they are false and
foul to the core"
"At the close Of Qaays remarks the
Senate resumed consideration OF the
consular and diplomatic appropriation bill,
to which the following amendment was
agreed to in executive session: An act 10
enable the president to make an engagement
with snv such citizen or corporation in the
United States ~ will appear to psssets means
and facilities necessary to that end for tele-
arsphic communication between the United
States and the kingdom Of Hawaii, which
engagement shall contain provisions saffl
cient, in the judgment Of the President. to
secure for the government and citiz OF
the United States an early and equal com
municstion BY telegraph with said
kingdom on reasonable terms for a period
not less than II years . sum not exceed
ing $3.50, coo each year during which the
engagement shah be in operation, during
which sucb ergssement shall be 20 in
course Of execution not exceeding %
years. The sum total paid under this al
thority not to exceed o.. 900. 900.
The bill and amendments were reported
from the committee of the whole to the
Senate, and the committee amendments
were agreed to in bulk. exespt in regard n
the Hawaiian telegraph cable. on which q
separate vote was taken. which was agreed
10. Washburn moved to increase the salary
Of the consul at Kingston, Jamaica, from
$1,000 to $1,000. Agreed to.
Dolph moved to increase the salsYy oi
the minister to Portugal from 900 70
$40 0o0 Pending discussion, Hale moved
tina. the Senate adjourn TO avoid order fo'
recess from 6 to p. m.
Before the vote Vas stated the vice presi-
following senators TO attend Gen. Sllef
mans fanefsl, the number having been In
creased from fre to six: Hawley, Man
defson, Pierce, Cockfeii. Walthall. Tbs
Senate at 6 p. N. adjourned.
House Rssolutious o, Sherman.
The House vent into committee Of thu
whole, Diaaisy Of Maine in the chair, OF