The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1895-10-31
EXPOSED!
Corruption Of O1e Of the Mem
bers of the 7Ist Legislature.
A Republican Seeks to Sell His Vote For
G1, eco In Advance of an Eiec-
tion to the LcIis-
laturc.

One Of the most remarkable chapters
of political corruption ever written in
the annals Of Ohio is told in the follow
ing dispatch from the city Of Greenvillo
one week ago:
Hon. J. A Norton addressed q man.
moth meeting of Democrats here to-
night at their clubrooms. After severe
arraignment of the last legislature, 10
capped the climax by producing and
reading enc of the most startling letters
probably ever written by a candidate
for public Office, and especially by an
aspirant for the legislature. 1t follows:
To DEMOCRATIC STATE EXECUTIVE AND
CENTRAL COMMITTEES OF OHIO, COLUMBUS,
O.-Gentlcmen: On account Of personal rea-
sons known to myself and immediate friends
! can not consistently, nor will not support
Hon. J. B. Foraker for United States senator
in the event OF Republican legislature being
elected this fall. On the contrary, hereby
pledge in the event of my election, to vote for
any candidate your bodies indicate, whether
he be Senator c. S. Brice or another, provided,
that am remunerated to the extent of $l,5oO
for the purpose Of making my campaign and
bringing about the result.
c. W HEoFvER.
"a hereby certify that know the above to
be the signature of c. w. Heoffer.
CONRAD KIPP.'
The letter read was a Photographic
copy of the original received yesterday
by Chairman Anderson, and sent here
tonight by him to Mr.. Norton, the orig
inal being given to Governor Campbell.
Norton added that he had double as
surance of the truthfulness of the letter,
as Mr.. Heoffer had admitted that he
wrote his name on a blank piece of
paper and had it witnessed by Mr.. Kipp,
and that afterward he filled in the body
of the letter and handed it to Chairman
Anderson.
Heoffer was given the alternative Of
withdrawing from the ticket tonight, CT
being exposed, but refused. and asked
that the matter be presented to Senator
Brice personally. Words can not ex-
press the tumultuous scene that fol-
lowed DIR. Norton's exposure, as there
was mad rush to the stage to see the
letter, and the signature was identified
by hundreds of persons. 1t is but just
to Mr.. Kipp to say that he is in nowise
to blame for the matter, as Heoffer did
not tell him at the time what he wanted
to do with it. Heoffer is a member of
various fraternal order. 1t is authorita-
lively stated at this hour that Heoffer
has confessed all.
1t is said that the Republican candi-
date was lead into his indiscreteness ty
a friend. The Republicans are non
plused, and join the Democrats in just
condemnations of such political in
trigue. DR.. Norton's speech was prac-
tically spoiled by the letter he received
not that he hated to denounce Hoeffer,
but, as he said, because of the disgrace
TINS brought on his estimable wife and
family. A son of Heoffer was in the
hall when the letter was read, and went
home heartbroken, where brother lies
at the point of death with a raging
fever.
AS though one Republican candidate
for the legislature indulging in such
things was not enough, the following
from the Columbus Call concerning an
other one challenges equal attention:
DR.. h X. Spooner, Republican representa-
tive from Seneca county, who wants to be re-
elected is a fine specimen Of the soldiers
friend. Some years ago he was appointed
guardian of William Schooner, a blind negro
soldier who was allowed pension arrearages
and pension to the amount of s6,277.40. He
also had a little home in the town of Republic.
Schooner hvod just IA months after Spooner
became his guardian. After Schooner's death
Spooner fled his account showing that he had
spent all but 81 ,40l of the money, or at the
rate of $3.50 per month. Spooner also at this
time has q deed for Schooner's property in
Republic.
Spooner is one of the Republican salary
grabbers who boasts that he has not yet
grabbed his $500. Schooner's pension enables
him to hold off until after the election.
With such men in the Republican
seventy first general assembly no won
der that it achieved the distinction of
being the most corrupt body that ever
in Columbus.
We say in all sincerity and earnest
ness that every vote cast for the George
B. Cox Republican state and legislative
ticket is a vote to indorse these men and
others like them who are striving to get
back into the next legislature to inau-
gurate new saturnalia of crime.
And every vote cast for the Mounte-
bank Coxey, who is in the employ of
George B. Cox for the purpose of induc-
ing Democrats to throw away their votes,
is also a vote to indorse them.