The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-02
are NOT TAKING SIDES
The D. l. and ". Men at Liberty to
Act as They Please.
NOT INSTRUCTED FOR DAVIES
Neither Arc They Under Orders to Work
for MOir and Wcstpfahl-A
Significant Interview with
Supt benjamin Hughes.

Saturday evenings Times contained
the following significant interview
with General Mine Superintendent
Benjamin Hughes, Of the Delaware.
Lackawanna and Western company
For some time past u report has been
circulated to the effect that the Della
ware, LackawannR and Western rail-
road has endorsed the candidacy of
James Moir, for mayor. and Thomas ID.
Davies for city treasurer in the coming
municipal election. The report was
based upon what was presumed to be
good authority and was given credence
by many. In elections heretofore SINH
lar reports have been circulated in re-
gard to other candidates, but have
never really been verified. In this in
stance, however. the candidate for city
treasurer is foreman under the d., l..
& w company and for thnt reason the
report is more generally believed than
it has been in previous campaigns. The
company's representatives, however,
deny and ridicule the idea and claim
it to be a false report issued for the
benefit of certain candidates for only
the time being.
That the names Of certain officials
are used in campaigns for the benefit of
certain candidates is admitted, some
times for intimidation, sometimes for
the friendly influence they possess AT
all events it is done without the know
ledge or consent of the persons whose
name Is used.
Superintenden Hughes Interviewed,
"In order that the report might either
be verified or effectually denied Times
reporter called upon General Mine Sup
erintendent Benjamin Hughes, whose
name is among those in use in behalf
of Messrs. Moir and Davies. When
tpl Of la ha Ia rIUhal nd ,ili-
culed the idea saying: j didn't know
there was any such report out. The
idea is absurd, and not true. This COM
pany doesn't care about the election.
and furthermore Davies is net candi-
date. I thought WestDfahl was paired
with Moir' Pointing to Mine Foreman
Decker Mr. Hughes said: There is
one of our foreman, ask him If he has
had any Instructions Mr.. Decker
turning about said that he had not been
informed of any preference held by the
company.
Continuing the superintendent said
'OftentimeS candidates do come to me
and ask me to use my influence, but !
never promise. l sometimes do ask the
fOremen how they are on such and such
q man, and they reply that they are for
or against him, but that is all. l tell
them all right and they may do as they
wish. l never tell them how they shall
act; it wouldn't be right to do so. Fore
men are also waited upon by candi-
dates sometimes, but l do not know
what they do. They are never instruct
ed, and as none of the miners have ever
come to me with complaints. feel safe
in saying that they are never intimidat-
ed. 1t Is always optional with them
how they vote and it is the same with
the fOremen as to where they put their
influence.
Nothing Heard About Using Influence.
"'If the candidate is a good man they
can work in his behalf which they have
a perfect right to do while they confine
themselves to the bounds of propriety.
I have heard absolutely nothing, how
ever, in this campaign about using my
influence for anyone
when asked about reports to the eff
feet that the company worked in behalf
Of candidates in previous elections, Mr..
Hughes declared it was false"