The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-25

chicago, Aug. 24.-The charges
against Governor Altgeld by ex-Con-
gresham ForInan i'm his open letter this
morning are the political sensation of
the hour. overshadowing eyerythir o
else. The Tribune gives its salient
points In long primer, while the other
papers, Democratic and Republican
alk". dignity ii with double or triple
ieaus. While many of the charges for
mniated of reckless handling of state
funds and Illegal borrowing of large
sums of public moneys have been cur
rent gossip for some time, and have
peeH hihted at by certain papers, yet
'hIs is the first time that either a Re
publican or Democrat has taken the
responsibility Of fathering them and
of accepting the burden OF proof. Much
new matter, moreover. is introduced
as Tor instance, the placing in the bank
ot which the governor is vice-preSi-
heht or nearly 100000 appropriated for
the University of Illinois and its sub
stquent loaning to the governor and
his friends.n Likewise the fact that
slo'0oo was demanded as the price of
the Peoria convention.
Thefe Wer also some sinister sucges-
tipns concerning certain anti-Gas
Trust legislation promoted at the last
session of the legislature by Altgelu's
partner and brother-in-law but which
the governor subsequently vetoed, and
since which time 1t is said he has be-
come a member of the board of direct =
ors of one of the trusts.
This Is new development. and may
lead to sensational disclosures. The
sentiment in the business community,
as well as in political circles, is that
the charges demand an immediate and
satisfactory explanation, or that Alt
geld will be compelled to Withdraw rom
the campaign. Men of all parties insist
that there is no other alternative. The
only exception is at state Popocrat
Headquarters, where, although it is
evident that Forman has dropped a
torpedo, there is Il disposition to mini
mze its explosive effects with the lame
suggestion that silver, and not Alt
geids reputation and administration,
is the only issue in this campaign.
JONES AFFECTS UNCONCERN.
As for Senator Jones. his manner
conveys the impression that he is any
thing but alarmed or sorrowful over
the position in which the would-be
dictator of the Popocratic campaign
has been placed, and there was pop
ular emphasis to his remark:
Governor Altgeld Is not member
of the National committeeman 50 | de-
cline to discuss his affairs"
Altgeld is still at Glenwood Springs
but Is expected back by the end of
the week
FOrman's charges in brief are that
Altgeld borrowed over $50. 900 of tbs
late Rufus Ramsay. state treasurer.
without paying interest; that when
Ramsay died State Secretary Hnrich-
sen was hurriedly sent to Jacksonville
To raise $4,000 to take up the COVER
nor's due bills and prevent exposure:
that Insurance Commissioner Durfc,
deposited II check for s3O00o for the
same purpose; that bank officers vino
were also managers or directors of GER
tain state institutions were removed
from such positions because theII
banks refused to lend Altgeid larg.
sums of money. Forman also asks
what became of Altgeld's due bills be
tween the time of the official sealing
OF the state treasury vaults after Ram
says death and the official opening oi
the same when a successor was named
a query which bears ON its face sug-
gestion of Il serious crime