The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-12-16
sp,efn, pi.pa,eh % lts intelligence.

Eptelul lltSItpGfb VAbo 4tStSAh'SStsSF's
CuIcAdo, Dec. 15.-When the board OF
control Of the Worlds Fair went into
session this morning the following
communication from Commissioners St.
Clair, of West Virginia, was read:
Statements having been made in
the public press Of Chicago in yester-
day afternoons and this mornings
issues, alleging that I am supposed to
have some pecuniary interest in the
work OF publishing an official catalogue
Of the exposition, or the fruits thereof,
or in the work OF publishing IN official
directory OF said exposition, or the
fruits thereof, which latter work
is under concession granted
to Charles Il. Taney by the Worlds
Columbian Exposition pursuant to o
resolution OF the board OF control, in
troduced by myself and, adopted on my
motion; and these statements, being
such as likely to affect public and pri-
yate estimate Of my personal character
il permitted to pass unchallenGed and
uninyestigated, lido therefore pronounce
these statements as absolutely false, and
do earnestly request the board to pro-
vide for an investigation OF tho same by
the most thorough and practical
methods, that they may be able to as
certain the truth or falsity of the same,
and so that the public may bc informed
Isl tsiened) m ~. W. ST. CLAIR"
The board heard the communication
and decided that the request should be
granted. A resolution was passed ap-
pointing q committee composed OF Presi-
dent Palmer, Vice President Mckenzie
and Commissioner Martindale for the
purpose. The investigation will be made
without delay. Inaddition to this COM
mittee another committee Of investiga-
ton will be in session. 1t is tho execu-
tive committee of the local directory.
ovERroPs ALL.
The main point to be proved is
whether improper influences were
brought to bear on the ways and means
committee to induce it to givo Conkey a
concession worth half o million in net
profits without competition. The men
pressing the investigation claim to be
able to show that such influence was ex-
ercised. They assert that they will
prove that Conkey oderad position at
a high salary in the new concession
company to a Worlds Fair official;
that the man Taney, Commissioner st.
Clair's protege in the scheme, was
given his concession also without COM
peting; that certain Worlds Fair officials
hold stock in or promise Of a
share Of tho profit from the Conkey
concessions, and that for some reasons
competition was smothered, 80 that q
"diyy" might be made among the par
ties, As matter OF fact, the question
of union or non-union labor in connec-
ton with tho printing OF tho catalogue
has dropped entirely ont of sight in the
presence OF tho more important mat
ter Of the integrity OF tho concessions.
The labor committee has, to a certain
extent, forgone its own grievance TO
take up this subject OF greater public
interest. Tho members assert that
they will make out clear case against
some Of the Worlds Fair people.
AN AWFUL CONSEQUENCE.
One consequence of the exposure
now being made may be the disruption
of tho Conkey .Taney combine. Mr..
Coukey said to-day that he intended
severing his connection with the West
Virginia editor, and his friend and pa
tron, the West Virginia commissioners.
"St. Clair's explanation OF his con.
nection with Taney is not very much Of
an explanation" said q Worlds Fair
director to-day. 1.-THE plain truth seems
to be, according to st, Clair's own state
ment, that he bought Taney over by
getting him Worlds Fair concession.
It is not very violent presumption to
suppose that a man who sells himself
once can bo purchased again by the
same bidder, especially when the price
paid the second time is much higher
than the first price"
cAUsrIC COMMENTS.
The Eptning PoH Washington special
says: "Taucy wants anything there is
money in, )" said ]. S. HassIer, a Demo
cratic politician OF West Virginia, to the
Evening Pot correspondent this after
noon. HE is live, wide'awake man.
He is St. Clair's friend, and ST, Clair
has good man on his staff. ] don't
know, though, about st. Clair's being q
candidate for United States senator.
He is state senator now and is we'll
liked, but Kenna has too strong pull"
Editorially, the Erenin7 Post says:
awe accept Alr. st. Clalr's denial that
in his dealings with Me- Taney he was
not influenced in the least by desire
to secure the support Of Mr.. Taney's
newspaper in mid Of Mr.. st. Clair's pros
pective candidacy for the senate. Tho
fact still remains that the Worlds
Fair management used the valuable
concessions in its gift TO influence tho
press aud through the press to move
congressman. There arc four represen-
tativcS and two senators IN Congress
from West Virginia, and their influence