The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-04
Peter ). rord,s Denial.

SIR Az synonymous and libelous olroti.
lar was scattered broadcast Yesterday.
| purporting to have been issued from the
"headquarters 2f the Rusiness Mems Re-.
| publican Association, Wilmington, Della.
ware" In substance and effecb ID charged
me with conspiring with certain other
gentlemen, whom 1t named, to defraud
the city treasury. and to use the Street
and Sewer Department for political pur.
poses.
The author Of the circular is not known
to me; nor do believe the circular was
authorized by any association. This
much do know, that In general and de.
tail, In substance and In effect, SO far as
the assertions 1t contains refer to me, the
circular is a mass of barefaced lies, and Its
author and its sponsors, one and all, libel
lars of the most contemplate type.
have been moro or less connected with
the political movements of my party for
some years, os my friends and neighbors
well know, but it has been left to this
concealed enemy who dares not sign his
name, to accuse me of corrupt prao ices.
! am, in spite Of every effort unable to
fin any such concern as the Cuisines
Mems Republican. Association" 1t does
not exist. There are, however, Indications
as to the authorship of the article, which
make 1t probable that the man who wrote
1t is paid political hack, whose reputa-
tion would detract from, rather than add
to, the effect Of his words
/ have made careful inquiry among Re-
publican business men Of repute and
standing here, and with ono accord they
repudiate the circular and deny all knowl.
edge of tho so called Association" Among
other things, one OF these illusions charges
me with having influenced Mayor Jetferis
to appoint Professor Webster to the Street
and Sewer Department, and that later Mr.,
Webster, at my instance, exerted himself
to place the contract for the building Of
the Silverbrook sewer.
The facts are, that the contract for the
building of Silverbrook sewer was agreed
upon before Mr.. Webster went into office,
and while majority of the commission
were yet Republicans. Mr.. Webster had
practically no connection with 1t. More
over, MIR. Webster was not appointed to
Office at my suggestion, tho mayor having
neither consulted me, nor l having made
any suggestion regarding his appointment.
II the contractor who has the work Of
building the sewer, as Is also alleged q
contributor to the Democratic campaign
funds. l know nothing of it.; but do
know that the details of the building of
the sewer was agreed upon at meeting of
the Street and Sewer Department, with
representatives Of the Jessup and Moore
Paper Company and the Ford Morocco
Company each Of which latter concerns
contributed $4,000 to the cost Of tho work.
do nft deem 1t necessary to answer the
charge ofmy having attempted to 'loot'
the city treasury. Those who know me
will answer that for me,
The circular signed, "a Jeffersonlan
Democrat" probably by the same author
ls rather too rotten for detailed notice.
When methods fall TO the point of making
1t necessary to assail the character of pri-
vate individuals, on false and lying
charges, it is time for reform, and for lots
of it. l should not deem it worth while to
dignity either of these circulars by an an
swer, were 1t not that some person whose
good opinion esteem might inadvertent-
ly be led to believing some Of tho charges.
As to the fictitious "BusinessMens Re.
publican Association" and the spectral
and indistinct "Jefforsonian Democrat"
promise them both different style of at.
tention,' If they will come from behind
their present places of concealment That
Is, If they are not both one, which is moro
than likely. PETER j. FORD.
Wilmington, June g. 1897.