The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-26
SPECIAL correspondsneeA

Especial Correspondence
Philadelphia. Oct. ls.-The Republi-
can meeting at the Academy Of Music
at which Governor Daniel II. Hastings
was the principal speaker was the
event OF last week. II marked the re-
vival OF stalwartism. The sort OF Re-
publicans who stood by Grant in -,
who had stood by Lincoln. and who
stood by Blaine. were brought TO re-
alize that the same old agencies were
making another endeavor TO bring tri-
umph TO the Democratic party by
vicious and INSCRIPTIONS personal as
saults on Senator Quay and those who
are known TO be his friends.
When Governor Hastings appeared
he was greeted with an ovation, and
spoke in part as follows:
zone OF the candidates for governor
IN February last year charged in a
religious newspaper, Of which he was
editor that new metal furnishings
have been paid for by the state, but
old ones in use by the state carried into
the state house cellar. cleaned and re-
turned. were made TO persOnate the
new ones paid for
That in the purchase Of material aud
labor for making additions. alterations.
repairs and furnishings. the capitol
buildings. and cellars and grounds, also
for the executive mansion and now for
Grace church, the state has lost mars'
thousands of dollars as the result Of an
unfair system OF competitive bidding.
In other words. that the cost to the
state has been two. three, four, as high
as eight times. in some instances, as
much as II should have been. and that
not all Of this money went TO the per-
sons furnishing the materials and la
bor. and further that at least some Of
the board Of public grounds and build
ings eustodiaRs have guilty knowledge
of this excessive cost These charges
If true. should have made il impossible
for me to appear before this audience
or to hold the Office Of governor for an
other day.
Let me tell you what followed the
publication which I have just read To
You. Its author was Immediately ar
rested on the charge of criminal libel
He was taken into the criminal court
He was tried ly jury OF his peers
and was convicted. The verdict of the
jury was guilty He applied for a new
trial II was refused, and the trial
judge. in his opinion refusing a new
trial. inter ala, said: The indictment
alleged that these paragraphs (the
quotations just read) were published OF
and concerning the members and su-
perintendent Of the board Of public
grounds and buildings. and that the
meaning OF the paragraphs was 10
charge them with knowingly and
corruptly and fraudulently cheating
and defrauGing the commonwealth, and
with fraudulently and corruptly mis-
using and misappropriating to them
selves and to others the public moneys
Of the commonwealth
Defendant admitted the publication,
but denied that he intended il TO refer
10 the board OF its members. OF that
IL in fact charges them with the Of
fcnses alleged in the indiStment-
The burden was OF course on the
commonwealth To prove that these
paragraphs would be understood by the
public 10 charge the members and su-
perintendent Of The board or some Of
them, as alleged IN the Indictment. and
the jury was instructed that IL the
fendant could not be convicted. In
view OF the verdict We must assume
ihe jury found with the commonwealth
on these points.
To establish the defense that the
publication had not been maliciously or
Indignantly made. defendant testified
at length. giving in detail all the facts
claimed 10 be within his own knowi-
edge, and all the Information that be
had received which led him TO make
the publication, and nothing Of this
kind, however remote. was excluded.
Since then the convicted editor has
mercilessly abused the trial judge. the
jury. the opposing lawyers and the
state. reiterating the same charges. par
ticuiarly about Grace church Who
would not commend at least his misdi-
rected energy? His defense must have
been well prepared. He was indefat-
igable. He left no stone uuturned. He
was several times at my stable cross
examining my hostler and the cook in
our kitchen 10 find out something IN
the garbage or the manure pile 10 in
jure me OF my family.
II. Again this candidate in the same
paper charged That articles have beer
furnished for the soldiers orphans
schools that cost the state eight fold
more than reliable bidders were will
ing TO furnish the same articles for
The soldiers orphans schools com
mission Immediately held a meeting IN
the executive chamber, ses member.
consisting OF General Goblin. Senate,
Mitchell. Captain William F. Stewart
Hon Ira T. Mansfield. Hon. Robert NJ
Foster. Colonel Ezra H Ripple and
Captain George ". Skinner. The mem.
bers Of the commission at once resolved
10 arrest him and the warrant wa.
served. when he faced the jury hi.
principal defense was that there was NJ
malice intended This was the frs
case tried, and the jury leniently founs
him not guilty. but pay the costs Il
was in effect notice 10 him that we vii
let you or this time. but pay the cast.
and don't DO IL again
Il am sure you viii admire his mod
esty when I tell you that he sho1tl,
afterward wrote me letter-here IL is
hold IL in my hsnds-asking me t.
donate him some money TO help pa,
these very costs. This Is the letter;
+" Harrisburg, Pa. Nov i6. 1887.
Governor Daniel H Hastings:
My Dear Sir. The suit againsg m
on the charge OF having Hbeled IN
commission OF soldiers Srphans' schools