The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-10-31
EXPOSED!
Corruption Of One of the Mem.
bers Of the 7Ist Legislature.
A Republican Seeks TO Sell His Vote For
1900 In Advance of an Eieo-
tion to the Legis-
lature.

! 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 Greenvillt
one week ago:
Hon. ]. A. Norton addressed nam.
moth meeting Of Democrats here to-
night at their clubrooms. After q severe
arraignment Of the last legislature, he
capped the climax by producing and
reading one of the most starting letters
probably ever written by candidate
for public office, and especially by an
aspirant for the legislature. 1t follows;
To DEMooRATIo STATE EXECUTIVE AEn
CENTRAL COMMITTEES OF OHIO, COLUMBUS
O.-Gentlemen: On account Of personal ree'
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 a 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 @. S. Brice or another, provided,
that am remunerated TO the extent Of 81 500
for the purpose OF making my campaign and
bringing about the result.
O. W. HEoFFER
~ hereby certify that know the above 10
be the signature Of O. 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 blank piece of
paper and had it witnessed by Mr.. Kipp,
and that afterward he filed in the body
Of the letter and handed it to Chairman
Anderson.
Heoffer was given the alternative Of
withdrawing from the ticket tonight, or
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 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 by
q friend. The Republicans are non
plused, and join the Democrats in just
condemnations of such political in
trigue. DIR. Norton's speech was prao.
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 hes
at the point of death with 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 Ia 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 lived Just IA months after SpooneI