The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-28
CAUSE DIVORCE WOULD cosr $1,000.
But Lawyer Hoffecker Would Not Pay 1t,
and An Investigation Now Threatens.

The exposure Of the recent alleged at.
tempt to induce Mrs. Laura Croker Ack-
Ian, Of Cleveland, Ohio, to give up $4,000
in order to get through the Legislature, a
bill divorcing her from her husband, W.
HI. Acklan, has discovered other victims,
who, emboldened by the revelations In the
case, are now willing to relate their expert.
ences. The disclosures have caused a pro-
nounced sensation In Legislative circles
by reason of the fact that members Of the
Legislature and well known politicians are
involved In the scandal.
The latest Victim Of the wills Of certain
members of the divorce committee Is Mira.
May 8. White Cause, who Is seeking a
divorce from her husband Fl. Victor Cause.
The petitioner Is daughter Of the late 8.
S. White, the wealthy manufacturer of
dental instruments and Is also cousin Of
DR.. J. William White of the University of
Pennsylvania and W. Cause is the son Of
j. Taylor Cause of this city. Several years
ago, 1t will be remembered, the couple
lived In the palatial residence at Pennsyl.
vania avenue and Clayton streets which
was built for them just before their mar
riage.
Family difficulties marred their honey.
moon, however, and separation followed
soon afterwayd. Mrs. Cause then remov-
cd from the olty, but lately returned and
Instituted proceedings for divorce through
James H. Hoffecker. The grounds were
desertlon and non-support. Mr.. Hofeck..
or made several visits TO Dover in behalf
Of his client and was about to introduce
the bill when a Wilmington politician
called upon him one day and gave him to
understand that 1t waS useless to think Of
getting the divorce through the General
Assembly without the expenditure OF
certain sum Of money. The politician
was particular to name The men who, 1t is
alleged, would expect so much cash to
work the bill through. He advised Mr..
Hotfecker to have a talk with them.
"Acting upon this advice and in order 10
see what the fellows were up to, u said Mr..
Hotfeoker. II dropped note to a
member Of the divorce committee Of the
House and also to member In the Senate.
These were the men designated by The pol.
itican. In due time they called at my Of.
fee asked them what about the case.
told them it was u meritorious one, and
wanted to know what they thought about
1t. Imagine my amazement when l was
informed that 1t would take from 81 500 to
although they called separately, assured
me that they did NOT want the money
themselves.
s. In fact, they secuted such an Idea, but
held, out to me the impression that there
were certain members Of the Legislature
who would have to be fixed, and they vol
unteered to distribute the money. After
wards was waited upon by politician
from Sussex county, who said he could do
good missionary work in tho case and
mentioned the members that it would DO
necessary to handle. believe there were
about ten members at $3.50 apiece. Atleast
that is the way figured upon tho basis of
a cash outlay Of 81, 500.
after hearing these surprising propo-
sitions | informed my client Of what had
transpired and she agreed with NE that it
would be unwise to have a divorce OBJ
tained that was tainted with bribery. al.
though l had no intention of accepting the
overturcs. After consulting Mrs. Cause |
returned to my office and remarked that l
would see them all in u warmer climate
before / would allow my client to be held
up by these statesmen. | rcconsidered
my decision to have tho bill put through
the Legislature and decided to seek the
shelter Of the Superior Court. The case
will come up at the May term and doubt
not that Mrs. Cause will get the separa-
ton which otherwise might have been pro-
cured in the Legislature"
In the event of Il legislative investiga-
ton Mr.. Hotfecker said he would gladly
appear before the General Assembly and
name the men who demand from him the
money. The exposure coming so soon
upon the disclosures in the Acklan case,
will probably result in thorough invest-
CATION of the affairs OF the divorce com.
mitre, which are furnishing gossip for the
people of the State