The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-12
STARTLING
ALLEGATIONS
Senator Penfose Charges
a Great Political
Conspiracy.
TIE MOVE ON COLONEL QUAY.

w. -Se-B
ing the GoVernorship Of Pennsyl-
vauia to the Democracy For the
United States SenatOrship.
United States Senator Boies Penrose,
on his return from a recent speech
making trip in the state, gave cut
statement bearing upon John Wana-
makers comment on his speech de-
livered at Huntingdon. and made some
serious allegations. affecting the 10y
atty of the ex-postmaster general to
the Republican party. This is what
Senator Penrose said:
Il shall take occasion to speak more
explicitly later on as to Mr.. Wana-
amaker's denial OF the charges made by
me in my Huntingdon speech. 1t
seems TO me. however. that any one
reading the statements given 20 the
public by Mr.. wanamaker and his
political manager, E. A Van Valken-
berg, and familiar with the proceedings
in the courts Of Schuylkill and North
ampton counties. viii not accept as
conclusive these unsupported and
evasive denials OF the grave charges
made of the attempt TO purchase a
United States senatorship for $3.50, 900.
/ have every reason to believe that the
people Of Pennsylvania are beginning
TO realize the true character of the
campaign that Is being waged against
the Republican party and its leaders
in this state and TO appreciate the sell
fish interests that prompt the attacks
as TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Developments of the last few days.
in which the machinery OF the dis
trict attorneys Office at Philadelphia
is made to do duty for political pur-
poses. have furnished the best evidence
of the desperation of the opposition.
That this proceeding against SEN
ator Quay before Magistrate Jermon is
the result Of a conspiracy on the part
Of certain Of his enemies who have
grievances. or fancy they have. there
can be no reasonable doubt in the mind
OF any fair minded man. and fortunately
most men are fair minded. The warrant
in this case was sworR out by a man
employed in the Office Of District At
t0rney Graham. Though requested to
DO so at the preliminary hearing. the
latter declined to put his man upon
the stand, though the constitution ac-
cords to every man the right to have
his accuser brought face TO face with
him. The case was tried before a mag
istrate who, for many years prior to
his appointment as magistrate. was a
clerk in District Attorney jSraham's
Office. It was the latter's special as
the receiver of the Peoples bank-the
institution involved in the case-and
he it was who was the principal witness
for mis- chief. the district attorney. On
the surface of things it seems TO Je a
case where the district attorney and
his assistants were very much in evi-
dence. to the exclusion Of anybody and
everybody else.
Why this extraordinary activity on
the part of District Attorney Graham
at this particular time. with an election
only a few days of? For years Mr..
Graham has been an aspirant for a
higher Office than that now held by
him. Not long ago he did not hesitate
TO say that he wanted one of three
things-the mayOralty, the governor
ship or place on the supreme bench.
For the latter Office he became an ac-
tive candidate, and urgently sought
Senator Quay's support. But, for
reasons of his own, Senator Quay de-
elined to aid him, and another Phila-
delphian secured the nomination. OF
course. the public have not forgotten
nor are they likely TO soon-the re-
cent spectacular collapse of Mr. Gra-
hams candidacy -or a denomination.
His withdrawal from the field was, of
course. largely due to the remarkable
demonstration on the part Of the news
papers OF Philadelphia
Mr.. Graham's contribution to the
political literature of the day. his IA
nous midnight letter proclaiming his
candidacy to succeed himself, speaks
for itself. It reads:
"'Ofiice OF the District Attorney, Phil
adelphia. Sept. u. 1888:
1T was my intention to have retired
at the end OF my present term from
the office of district attorney. bat cir
cumstances have arisen which make
it impossible for me to do so. am pre-
pared TO meet every emergency that
may arise. With fun confidence in my
position and faith in Almighty God, |
announce my candidacy and appeal 10
the people, to whom alone owe al
legiance, and whom alone have serv-
ed with answering fidelity. I stand
on my official record. / submit TO the
opportunities and persuasions of
friends. I am ike our soldiers at El
Caney. I know how TO fight, but do
net know how to retreat. My name win
go before the convention Of the Re-
publican party for nomination as a can
didate TO succeed myself
GEORGE S. GRAHAM"
IT shall make no comment ON this.
further than to recall the universal
opinion as TO this letter expressed in
the public meeting places and in the
homes of Philadelphia, and to refer 10
.he action OF the Business Mems
resolutions:
q Whereas. George S. Graham, in de-
fiance Of the moral sentiment of the
community. and in a letter using ex-
pressiOns which. in our Judgment. fall
but slightly short Of being blasphe-
nous, has announced his candidacy
for another term as district attorney
for the county OF Philadelphia; and
Whereas. His forgetfulnesss Of the
eanons of conduct in private life has
forfeited the confidence of his fellow
citizens and units him 10 be continued
as public prosecutor of this county;
therefore, be 1t
Resolved, That the executive COM
mittee OF the Philadelphia branch of
the Business Mems League OF the state
Of Pennsylvania hereby earnestly and
publicly. denounces the candidacy Of
George s. Graham for the Office OF dis
triet attorney. and pledges Itself to use
every honorable means to defeat his
nomination: and be il further
Resolved. That this league urges
upon the Republican organizations OF
the city Of Philadelphia to defeat the
nomination Of Mr.. Graham and to
name candidate who win bring sue
cess TO the ticket. instead of certain
disaster
The newspapers. however, had re-
peatedly published the fact that Sem
atOr Quay had been opposed to the
denomination Of Mr.. Graham. and.
whether rightly or wrongly. ii is only
fair 10 assume that this opposition
"a ei.c NAS~AiSN 1eAotHcs . e1.'ef
and, finding an opportunity 10 strike
back before the rapidly approaching
close OF his term, he had seized IL: and.
again. IL is no doubt pleasing and
profitable to Oblige q rich and powerful
patron.
80 much for the district attorney
and his Office.
WANAMAKER AND DEMOCRACY.
The other gentlemen back Of this
prosecution are also well known citi-
zens Of Philadelphia. and their mo-
tives are equally well defined Who
they are, the intelligent reader can