Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-10-28


for the statement that the democratic
campaign committee have not originat-
cd anything new on Catron. This may
bs because the democrats are conduct
Ing a campaign void Of personalities,
or because Catron has already exhaust
cd the category OF evil deeds.
Whatever the reason, the same thing
cannot be said Of the republicans.
They have exhausted their ability in
inventing lies about H. B. Ferguson
while the absurdity OF the lies to which
they have been compelled to resort,
only shows the superiority Of the man
they are attempting to traduce.
The Citizen itself has not been back
ward in this matter, greedily publish
ing what fertile imaginations
have invented. As Illustration, we cite
the railroad lie, which first saw light
in the San Marcial Bee, and was after
wards copied into the Citizen. This
lie is to the effect that In the A. r. u.
strike Of 1894, Mr.. Ferguson received
a fee of $4,000 for prosecuting the
men, and turned the prosecution into
persecution.
As the men prosecuted were citizens
OF Albuquerque. It Is significant that
the Citizen, OF that town, did not
originate the yarn, but quoted IL from
a paper published at quite a DISTANCE
from the scene. No doubt this was be-
cause the Citizen knew that Mr.. Fer
gusson did not prosecute the cases at
all. He was special United States at
torney, at the time, having been APP
pointed to prosecute S. M. Folsom, the
bank-wrecker. United States Attor-
ney Hemingway was in Las Vegas, and
could not get to Albuquerque because
the trains had been stopped. In this
condition Of affairs, Mr.. Ferguson
received a telegram from Attorney
General Olney directing him to
represent the government IN
such cases as might come up,
Under these instructions, he did repre-
sent the government in the case of En-
gineer Wagg, signing certain papers in
that proceeding. But with that his
duties ceased. He did not prosecute
the case at all and SO far from perse-
cutting Wagg, he endeavored to have
his sentence changed from imprison-
ment to a fine, and was ready to pay
the fine out of his own pocket, Wagg
himself not having the money. Dur
ing Wages imprisonment, Mr.. Fergus
son showed him much personal atten
ton and kindness, largely aiding his
when deprived Of the fathers
and husbands labor, and to-day he is
suretyo on the bond OF Mr.. Wagg, who
is u justice of the peace in Albuquer-
que.
These things TIE OPTIo learned
Mr.. Wagg himself, he being q
most devoted friend and follower of
Mr.. FERGUSON, whom he greatly adj
mires and for whose election he is
diligently laboring. The fiery indig-
nation of the Citizen and the Bee,
over the railroad mans persecution
~ H. B. FERGUSON, while that
nan himself is one of Mr.. Fer-
most hearty endorsers, rel
minds one for all the world of Mark
1anna's devouring anxiety for the we'll
icing of labor!
Furthermore, Mr.. Ferguson did not
eceive any compensation whatever,
or representing the government in con-
with the strikes. So slight
we're the duties he performed, in the
'rief absence of Mr.. Hemingway, that
le did not dream of presenting a bill
or them to the government. He did
lot ask payment, nor wasspayment
rendered. Yet IN CONTRA
Of these facts has the whole
Elaborate lie been concocted that Mr..
FERGUSON begged the place Of pros
'cutor, which he prostituted to perse-
receiving from the government
20. 500 therefor. f