The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-02-25

Indifference 10 slanuer- weapon NliiDA i-a9
never had place in my political arsenal,
and partly by the advice Of friends who
ursea me 10 treat the assassins Of reputation
as underserving Of open controversy, have
permit,ed. without comment, the passage of
the food Of fllsehood. Its malodorcns wa
ters chance at this time to be quiescent, and
now. when no heated political conflict is
raging. when neither hope nor fear can he
deemed the inspiration Of my uiierance, !
choose briefly 10 confront accusation with
truth. would not allude to this subject m
this presence had not members Of the other
House made it matter of debate there.
Looking to the future, and knowing that
the record. Of this Congress will remain for
other generations to read when most Of US
composing il will be forgotten, choose, for
the truth Of history, and for that which IS
dearer 10 all men than riches, 10 eispel the
mist OF falsehood with the clear light Of
fact
1t is not nay purpose TO weary the Senate
by rehersal Of each detail Of the mass OF 4
Misrepresentation. Nevertheless, avoiding /
prolxity. will endeavor to make this state !
ment specific aud 50 complete as TO be final |
fany thread in this fabric OF falsehood re-
mains unsevered it viii be because this tis-
sue OF lies is SO complex, is so raveled with
contradiction and clouded with insinustion
that some insignificant portion has escaped
attention.
THE STATE TREASURY CASHIERS DEFICIENCY.
Quay PAID IT, THOUGH HE HAD
NOT MADE IT.
The first assertion concerning my official
acts is that at sometime or continuously be-
tween the years of 1879 and 1882 alone, or
/ acting with another, or Others, used the
moneys Of the State OF Pennsylvania for
speculative purposes. denounce this state
ment as absolutely false. In 1877, the DEM
ocratic party Of Pennsylvania elected e State
Treasurer, and an Auditor General, the
financial officers uf the Commonwealth. A
year or two later. pending their terms Of Of
lce, / became engaged in stock operations.
In some transactions was associated and
Jointly interested with the gentleman who
was, at that time, the Cashier of the State
Treasury. These transactions proved disas-
trous, and was compelled TO pay portion
Of his losses as well as my own. 10 doing
this, it became necessary TO supply an alleg
ed deficiency he had caused in the Treasury
As portion of the fund for this purpose
borrowed $4,000 from the gentleman who
is al present my colleague in the Senate.
gave him my judgement note therefor, the
amount of which note paid 70 him, dollar
for dollar, years ago. Not until the begin
ming OF the settlement of our losses was
aware that a deficiency existed and | had
every assurance that my associate was able
TO carry his share of the losses. My connec-
tion, thereafter. was simp V. with the aid Of
friends to raise the necessary funds 10 sup
ply the deficit.
FALSE CHARGE: IMPOSSIBLE or PROOF
It is charged that again used the mon
eys belonging 10 the Commonwealth OF
Pennsylvania to purchase bonds, or stock,
| or both. Of a Chicago street railway. ] was
invited by friends in Philadelphia to join in
/ the purchase Of street railway property in
! Chicago and did SO, borrowing the money
upon my own collateral from the Peoples
Bank in Philadelphia. ! stood upon the
same footing with the other gentleman con-
cerned and it was perfectly straight.for-
ward business transaction, and had no con
nection in any way with any public fund
or public interest The charge that secur-
ties belonging to the State of Pennsylvania
were used in this transaction is false and i'm
| possible Of proof The only negotiable Sc
curities held by the State Of Pennsylvania
are the registered bonds of the United State
transferable only on the books OF the Ma
tional Treasury by the Auditor General, Sec
retary OF the Commonwealth and State
Treasurer, acting coniointly, after having
dled a certificate with the Governor in their
official character
Collateral 20 this last accusation is a
charge that defrsuded, or attempted to de
fraud, the widow OF a deceased friend. This
also is absolutely false There breathes not
upon the earth. man nor woman, who can
truthfully say that ever defrauded. or at
tempted to defraud, him or her of dollar.
Upon this point charity 10 the dead and to
the living sorbids my making any personal
l explanation. Samuel Cuisine Thompson,
member Of the Philadelphia Bar and
! President of the Young Mems Democratic
Association Of that city, is one OF the sever
al thoroughly conyersant with the facts who
can give them 10 the public If they see prop
er.
STATE PARDON EoARD.
come now to what might be called the
| fourth ground Of criticism of my public
conduct. This was my action as member
of the Board OF Psrdons OF Pennsylvania in
voting for the pardon Of certain members of
the Pennsy ,vania Legislature and Others,
upon whom sentence had been passed for
bribery. My conduct in that matter has
been bitterly assailed and il is proper TO say
that the facts were patent 10 the people of
the State, and were thoroughly discussed be-
fore my election 10 the Office OF State Treas
nrer, and, subsequently,, to q seat in this
chamber. ] had no personal interest in the
legislation in, olved. Ny vote, as member
Of the Board Of PArdons. was in accordance
with the law and with the action of my col
leagues, and was compelled by the fact that
The sentence imposed by the Court upon the
persons parioned was Illegal. Upon this
point the Attorney Genaral of the State filed
his written opinion with our decision. l am
frank to say that have no regrets for that
vote and would repeat it under the same cir
cumstanoes. Even bad not the sentence
been unlawful ii is my opinion that the
ends Of Justice bad been fully served by the
conviciion Of the defendants. One of the
gentlemen involved has, within the last two
weeks. received the unanimous thanks Of
the pennsYlyania Legislature for important
sers ICES rendered humanity and the State
incidentally the statement has been made
that in some unspecifed manner procnred
or attempted 10 procure the pardon Of 8 man
named Lynch, under sentence for forgery.
by threats delivered personally 10 Mr.. Byers,