Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-10-25
HINES IS A RICH MAN.
A RAILROAD MAGNATE AND COAL
OPERATOR LIKE LElSENRlNG.

From the Wilkes-B Barre Telephone.
AS the campaign progresses it becomes
more evident every day that the Demo
cratic party in Luzerne county was never
before so badly demoralized as at pres
ent. The rank and file of workingmen
and farmers, who have hitherto proved
loyal to Democratic principles, are thor
oughly disgusted and dissatisfied with
party dissensions and misrule in the af-
fairs of the county, state and nation.
The best informed workers and leaders
look upon the defeat of Congressman
Hines for reelection as a forgone con-
cusion. They say that his political
career, covering period Of nearly tif-
teen years, has been that of a most con-
sumate self-seeking demagogue, who
foisted himself into prominence and
position by duping the workingmen of
the county with false pretenses of sym
pathy while posing as the champion of
organized labor.
At present he is making most des-
perate struggle for reelection by
speeches against his Republican opponent
whom he denounces as the representa-
tive of,monopoly and corporations. This
has been Hines favorite campaign logic
for years-and it must be admitted,
even by his worst enemies, that it has
served the purpose of keeping him in Of
flee to the detriment of Luzerne Demo-
cracy. At last the leaders find in the
public record of Hines ample evidence
to prove that he is simply a selfish polit-
ical schemer, ambitious to secure the
spoils of office for himself and his per-
sonal following, regardless of the best
interest of the party.
In circular recently issued by the
Populists to the voters of Luzerne
county the statement is made that Mr..
Hines is today the owner of real estate
in this city valued at 500, 900. Besides
this he owns several hundred acres of
land in Buck township, with a fine
summer residence worth four or FIVE
thousand dollars and the famous "Sock's
Pond" otherwise known as Lake Ida.
The circular referred to goes on to show,
that while the Democratic candidate for
congress is continually raising his voice
against the representatives of combined
wealth" and grasping monopolists, he
has been steadily grasping every oppor-
tunity to become millionaire himself.
l have no fault to find with any man
who acquires wealth in the pursuit of
any honorable profession, but | must
condemn without stint any political
gambler or professional office holder like
Hines, who never tires of defaming and
denouncing his political opponents and
boasting of his Independent principles
while secretly scheming to enrich him
self at the expense of the public.
The circular from which | have quoted
exposes the fact that by specuating
with other peoples money Hines has
become one of the principal stockholders
in the Pennsylvania, Lehigh and Eastern
Railroad Company. This 'road was
originally capitalized at $5,000,000 and
mortgage bonds for $450,000, issued by
the New York Security and Trust Com
pany, were purchased at big discount
about two years ago by Hines, ]. r.
Perry and other parties in this city and
Pittston. The charter of the road was
obtained under the act of assembly in
1889. The main line was surveyed from
Tomhicken in this county to Mattamoras
in Pike county. From those who are in
terested in the enterprise it is learned
that Congressman Hines has devoted
much of his time and services during
the past two years inducing New York
capitalists to buy the bonds and advance
two or three million dollars to construct
the P. L. & E. r. r.
From the above it will be seen that
Hines can no longer lay claim to the
support of his old-time friends among
the workingmen, for he must be classed
as coal operator and railroad magnate.
1t will therefore be imprudent for him
to continue making speeches to the far.
mers and mine-workers about his Re.
publican opponent being a representa-.
tive of combined capital and mon
opoly," especially since it is generally
known that by means only known to
himself Mr.. Hines holds title to a con.
siderable tract of coal land in the vcin.
ity of Kingston and has suit pending
against the Kingston Coal Company fol
$50, 900 damages for coal mined from his
property.
Looking back at his political career
since 1869, when he first made his debut
as member of the miners organization
in existence at that time, | must give
Hines credit for being one of the shrewd
est self-seeking politicians that Luzerne