The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-09-14

THE LUCK FAKE.

To the Editor: The AFFIDAVIT nend IN
politics Is abroad. and particularly in a
recent number OF the Times I refer 10
what purported to be a sworn statement
OF one Frederick A. Luckenbaca, In the
Times OF the 18th inst. relating TO the
alleged bribery OF congressman and SEN
ators In lS72-3
Why Il is necessary that Luckenbach
should make a sworn statement is not
plain. Every one knows that any AFFIDAVIT
about political matter IS Of no legal
force. y not true. the ATTAIN could not be
punished for nerjury. AT affidavit In poll
tics should therefore. always be regarde I
with suspicion, FOR Il is no better than the
mans word. and why should he surround
his statement with the solemnity OF a.
mock oath. unless Il were TO aid him in
imposing upon the public? Lawyers OF
experience generally agree that a man >
oath IS usually no better than his word.
But IN this particular affidavit. Lucken-
bach claims 10 have been told by MI
Ernest Seyd that from 1877 10 ISIS he vas
In Washington City. and there through
corruption rund OF a half million dol
lars. furnished by the governor OF the
Bank OF England. Influenced senators and
congressman 20 vote FOR The act Of 1873 es
taollsh.ng the gold standard In the United
States Ordinarily no attention should be
paid 70 such q charge but when I; appears
In an article subscribed and sworn 10. ana
thus with mock legal sanctity paraded
before the public. think It's utter ab-
suTdlty should be shown from The article
Itself.
The Bank o; England Is directed by a
governor q deputy governor and twenty
four directors Taese officers are all
elected oy the stockholders They are All
r2en o. ine very highest standing. noted
for business capacity and s,rlctest prr,attv
a. ia nm nix
literally enforced every one Of these Of
hcers would ma 70 know Of such q mon
sirous attempt at corruption. The Glrec-
tors would have 10 vote this money before
II could De expended fer such or any other
purpose. and their Stewardship submitted
to the general court a, the annual meet
ing." dare say thai 40 more raspecta-
bic BODY az people could be found any
where than me stockholders OF tals great
financial Institution Any governor or d.
reciorats that should have undertaken 10
use The banks money! In such a way would
instantly nave been thrown Out or ofYlos
and branded SIS lnfamous
Tie Bank 81 England IL a stock corpor-
aion. and the stockholders are private in
o.Vlauals' way Should they spend their
money on foreign legtslatorss The bank
Is simply business Institution. ana no,
looking out ggr segsf a-50n In foreign conn
triet Wav should ne owners OF stock
IN ne bank have entrusted seyE with
hSt million dollars and a. much mere d,
need be. 70 effect legislation in The United
states which seemingly dsa not f.sturb
anybody In this country very much uatu
swenty years af,erp
FlfthermoFe AR, sey1 - described "a
the 'nnAnelal adviser u aaakera" Il f.
ioo utterly Sly and absurd 70 s4guose
that man Nho actually wzs eEno.ot.a
by The worlds greatest financial tnsrstt,-
tons. should whisper the score. OF ms own
irtAny into the ears II ar American. '.uo-
or BIS homer ss gentleman not 70 d.
S3lge dntI after the death Of s@v9 fafs
greai scheme - corr 3pftou, Men Nho
are emp eysd ~ these great aaan-eaE IN
stitations have joae been tries ana tessad
ana thsv 90 noi 3a5i thelr pa lra attA en-
tersal.m ai r. zach new-hatcAe4. IN
aedge3 conrade"
Tae story IS no. ony waoYy ,np-oaA-
he hat utterly aeussastaie Ta,s rn.tn
Lscks naaca IS evidently anxious 10 hen
IRE silver cause arc Would Ike 10 ,.
witness . ~Sae great crime o. $50 saa
SC swesrs TO a 10; % 1cuon. originating
in mind higesy imaginative. ha; a
stranger 20 truth
FRED Ii PET E.gSoS.