The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-13
NO BRIBERY SAYS DICK.
THE REPUBLICAN MANAGER GIVES
OUT A FORMAL DENIAL.

ne MA Give Preyor nIis Check Tor SOS, but
That was . Personal Loan and TOR No
F~Neiiicai Considerntio Explanation &c to
others Mentioned In tho bribery story.
CLEVELAND, o., Aug. 13.-Col. Charles +. Dick
Secretary OF tho Republican National Commit
teo. omphatically denies having bribed dele
gates ID the Populist Convention. Tonight no
gave out the following; 4" The whole story Of
Attempted bribery Is absurdly false. Monday
morning last / received a motto from
Hugo Preyet asking n personal loan,
and promising to return 1t within five
days. In response to that request I gave him
my personal check for $25. On this nero Incl
dent an attempt is mado to create q political
sensation. / never gave Mr.. Preyer or
any other man q dollar with the view
Of controlling his political action or infiu-
encing tho result Of the Populist Convention.
Rev. j. II. Taylor, tho other man who 10
brought out as a man whom I also
attempted TO bride, made application for
employment as a campaign orator. Ho
presented letters representing him 70 30 a
preacher and a good speaker. He became n fire.
quent caller at my Office. pressing his applica-
tion for employment, but he never received a
check from rue, and l never gave or promised
him a dollar to control his political conduct.
Upon his urgent and repeated requests I fixed
q time when I could sec Mr.. Preyer.
AT THAI conference DIR. Taylor expressed his
Views in1tho matter of a Middle-of-the-R Road
ticket which was discussed in a general
way. However, at that time he said to me
that be didn't think that he would attend
the State Convention. No understanding or
arrangement was made or attempted. and at
no time has Mr.. Preyor acted under my direc-
tion or represented me in any way. When I re-
ceived the note requesting the loan, I considered,
and treated, 1t as purely personal matter.
"As TO J. NJ. Fl. Frederick. A. J. Orr, and
Others mentioned as concerned in this matter,
not one OF thom ever received a cent from me or
the promise Of any pay for political work"
o., Aug. l2.-The developments
brought out at the investigation Of the charges
made in the Populist State Convention that
Major Charles Dick. Secretary OF tho Nj tional
Hanna's campaign, had sought TO influence tho
action OF the convention, and defeat fusion with
cans OF the State, has caused much Comment in
political circles. and Major Dick is severely criti-
cised; The anti.Hsnna element is chuckling
over Mr.. DICK s misfortune at being caught in a
trap set for him by the agents OF John r. Nc
Lean, and the Democrats are rcgretting their
One OF the things which excites comment in
SSonneSt,on 7. With ,bnt Y VII so story 1,yt Of , alleged bribery q
have been so easily beeuiled by a minister OF the
gospel in the person OF the Roy. J. II. Taylor OF
Cleveland. Taylor said that he got the money
49, ~ 'Siy w. o VI lhO campaign
methods of the Hanna people. Hugo Preyer,
also of Cleveland. accepted a twenty-hvc-dollar
check from Major Dick for the same purpose,
and so announced. No evidence was adduced at
the investigation tending to implicate any del.
eeate of the Middle-of-the Road faction who
had been charged in general terms with having
accepted pribes to defeat fusion, Taylor and
Preyer both being fusionists.
The investigating ommitte was composed of
three Middle-of.the-Road members and two
anti,tusionists The report Of the Middle.of-
the-Road members fled to-day with Chairman
Crehger OF the Populist State con.
cludes:
Your committee denounce these brazen at
tsmpts Of Hugo Preyer. the Rev. J. II. Taylor,
Peter witt. David Rankin. and George A. Groot
TO besmirch the character and integrity of the
delegates Of almost the entire convention by re.
peated charges and innucndos, when they knew
they had no facts to substantintc their accusa.
tons, The evidence proved beyond a doubt that
ne whole proceeding was but an attempt on
their part 10 bring dissensions into the conven.
tiOn for the PURPOSE Of hiiing their motives of
disruption OF the Peoples party because they
failed to control the convention in the interest