Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-08-31
ASSAULTED,
The Editor of The Journal
Invited to the State Treasuler's Of
fce-- What Took Place.

The Journals problngs of the mis-
conduct in the State Treasurer's Of
flee has b Jrne fruit revealing to the
public the true character of the pre-
siding genius Major Hodgkin, and
it is hoped the plblic will pardon
] dragging his name before them at this
time. The Assistant State Treasurer
has written his own account in his
own elegant language lin the news
paper he controls ut Salem) of his own
disgraceful conduct, which had better
have been unmentioned. No one would
have noticed his performance, but as
he is inclined TO be boastful he will be
given all the publicity which his Of
fetal position alone entities him to re-
ceive.
The ruflianly assistant state treas
urer has written his own statements
and says; yesterday the great friend
of the people entered the capitol on
smelling tour" The following note
will explain why any call was neces-
sary at the STATE treasury:
State of Oregon, Treasury Depart
ment, Salem, August 30, 1897.
Mr.. f. Hofer, Salem Or:
DEAR SIR:-Mrs. Hodgkin and my
self availed ourselves Of the privilege
of calling at your residence, Saturday
evening, but did not find you at home.
Will you, when you visit the state
house today, kindly call at the treas
urer's Office, and very greatly O6lige,
Yours very truly,
FRANK E. HoDGKIN.
Major Hodgkin, who is member OF
the Episcopal church and trustee of
the Salem Y. NJ. G. A. besides having
sucked the public teat for twenty
years admits that no sooner than the
editor had entered the treasury she
heard himself abused as never man
was abused before"
This was a novel experience in a
public office, where the abused man
had been invited in polite manner
connected with IA social call from one
hitherto considered Christian gen.
tleman and his wife, who is lady en-
titled to the highest respect. The
abuse consisted in denqnciatiOns in
loud tone of voice of THE JOURNALS
criticisms of a public official, of the
vilest billingsgate. and profanity such
as made the state capitol ring from
basement to dome and which would
have edited st. Paul's church, the
Salem Y. M. G. A. and the people Of
Oregon to have heard it.
The situation was growing inter-
esting and we must give Mayor Hodg-
kin's own words for it from the
Statesman:
When the speaker tired Of hurling
abuse at a being in which sufficient
manhood could not be found to resent
anything that was said to him, no
matter how Yile,dnd when that same
speaker, for the sake of diversion,
started to walk around the table to-
ward Hofer, the later in despair, Ia cur
driven into corner will fight, it is
said) picked up a volume lying on the
table, said to have been book of in
structions "How to Hold up the Leg
islature" belonging to the governor,
and hurled it at his assailant's feet.
Then the two came together for
moment, but only for a moment, for
they were quickly separated. 1t is
said that when Hofer found that
conflict was inevitable, he yelled:
"We1l fight, if some one does not
stop us. Somebody hold him, I'll
hold myself"
The editor of THE JOURNAL makes
no pretension to being fighting
man. He avoids armed conflict and
o My defends himself when absolutely
necessary and only in self defense.
Major Hodgkin is welcome to all the
glory he can get out of conduct that
stamps one as man without breed
ing, an official without any sense of
what he owes the public and a bully
who would not stand five minutes in
an encounter requiring real courage.
But his courage or personal matters
cut no figure In the matter that is
really involved. His claim is that
THE JOURNAL Insulted his wife by
saying that she was soliciting insur-
ance for the Hodgkiu's agency at tbs
state treasurer's Office. The JOUR-
NAL carefully avoided mention of the
lady's name in connection. with the
practice complained of by citizens and
insurance people of this city. And if
THE JOURNAL had named the lady
as soliciting insurance 1t could have
been no insult, because it is an honor
able occupation. Several single ladies
of this city, some with families to
provide for, and no husband In an of,
fetal position drawing a fat salary,
are always glad to have the fact mem
toned that they do solicit insurance,
and there is nothing wrong about it.
They and their children have right
to be protected against all grasp
ing, aVaricious oyer-reaching pub
lie officials. and Major Hodg-
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