The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-14
DOES POLITICAL
LYING PAY 2
Problem in the Ethics of
MendaCity Now Agitat-
ing Ohio.
CREED OF G, P. WALDORF
He Holds it is JustifabIe Under Certain Con-
dtions and ConfesSeS an Instance.

Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 13.-Is lying per-
MISSILE in politics? Is it pardonable.
and does it pay? This triune question
is agitating Republican politicians in
Ohio--all on account of George p. Wall
dorf. a Mark Hanna manager of Toledo,
who Mortified coterie of Republican
workers not long ago by insisting that
lying in politics was justified at certain
times. Then he confessed that he had
purposely lied to gain point in politics
and defended himself most effusively.
This is the story: Prior to the Re
publican State convention at Toledo the
great fight was the election of StateI
Central committee Hanna was deter
mined to defeat Charles l.. KurtZ fOri
State chairman. To do so a Hanna
member of the Central Committee was
desirable in the Toledo district. Harris.
the Kurtz member. up for reelection,
was popular. Waldorf wanted TO be a
delegate to the State convention. He
was told that he could not be unless he
would vote for Harris. Waldorf promis-
ed to do so, and the Kurtz people were
jubiant, although they knew Waldorf
to be one of Mark Hanna's most conf
dental managers, and be was elected on
these conditions.
WALDORF TELLS HIS STORY.
On the Sunday before the convention
Waldorf called "A meeting of seven Han
ma supporters. 1t was held at Waldorf's
office in the Splitter building.
There were present Judge John II.
Doyle, Congressman Southard Big
Jim" Ashley, Colonel Joe Bonner, Noah
HI. Swayne-all devoted to both McKin-
~
sion by stating that Kurtz must be
beaten and that the Toledo district must
elect member of the State committee
who would vote against Kurtz. His
listeners were aghast. They too, were
honor, even in politics. They told Wal
dorf, You were elected a delegate with
the distinct understanding that you
would vote for Harris How can you
go back on your promise?"
81 know all that" said Waldorf. But
there are times when man will lie
there are times when he is Justified in
lying, especially in politics. This was
one of those times. | admit that lied
and | think Il man is justified in doing
almost anything to defeat Charles Kurt
When promised. | did so with mental
reservation that would do the ether
thing. 1t was to our interest ana the
interest Of Senator Hanna for me 10 be
a delegate and if | couldn't get in with
out lying, why. ] had to lie, that's ALL"
WHAT WALDORF REAPED.
All this has caused discussion as to
political methods some politicians not
altogether welded 10 high ethics or
purpose stand by Waldorf and even ap-
plaud him. Waldorf continues to man
age for Hanna in Northwestern Ohio. |
and expects to be the Internal Revenue
Collector for the Toledo District In
dee1 Waldorf is actually making APP
pointmenttS i'll the Congressional district. |
ignoring Southland, the Republican Con
gresham.
A few weeks later Waldorf wanted
to 20 on the State Executive Committee.
Those who knew of the Toledo episode
and confession came TO Columbus and
protested against his selection. and even
Hanna had to keep Waldorf off the com
mittee.
MORE POLITICAL MENDACITY. !
This is not the only example of poll
teal lying in Ohio. John Sherman can
tell long tales of lying as the art is prac-
ticed in this State. Charles Foster can
w tiC tul1S. anu DlitHtS some OF
the mendacity which undid him on Sher-
man.
When Sherman was making his last
fight for the Senate against Foraker.
Foster was asked to help.
care not for the Senate any longer. .
said Sherman, ''but | do not want to end
my public career in defeat Help me
this time, and when once elected | will
resign and let Mckinley appoint you in !
my stead"
That was the compact. but once elect !
ed Sherman forgot HIS promise to Eos
ter, and denied that such a compact had
been made. And there are others.
Foraker has been credited with keep
ing his word, but since his Senatorial
term he has forgotten a few promises to
old friends who stuck to him in his days
of gloom.