West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-04-14
MEANS USED TO IN
INFLUENCE CONGnRSSMEN
Hanna. Elkins & Co. Are for Peace
mt Any Price.

NJ Any ffice.
Washington. ID. c.. April g.
The Ohio congressman have been
beset with kilograms from the cities
Of the state TO uphold the Pres
ident. This 10 the result OF the
efforts of Mark Hanna, using the
machinery OF the National Repub
lican COMMITTEE and asking such
kilograms to be sent.
The following is sample which
was sent to Hon. John j. Lcniz.
representing the Columbus Dis
trict
Colum bus. Ohio. April a. 1898.
Hon. John j. Lentz. NJ. o.,
Washington. ID. c.: We feel con
fident the Prrsident's policy on The
Spanish question is wise aud Pc
triotic and recommend that you
support him."
To this MIR. Lentz sent the fol-
io"ihS reply
"Dsges. Andrews & Co, and
others, Columbus, Ohio: Please
advise mo what the Presidents
policy on the Spanish question is.
and how did you find 1t out |?
Nnny of us congressman aud SEN
ators ever since the assassination of
266 Americans have BEEN and still
are earnesrIy trying to diagnose the
Presidents policy. Will he take
the stars of the flag aud substitute
dollar marks in their place Will
he tear of the stripes and pat RIB
bons from the stock ticker in their
place /? How does il happen that
your telegram is like that coming
to other congressman from other
cities at this very hour' / have
supported the President up TO this
hour for everything asked. But
cannot bliDdly follow unless
know that he intends to uphold
the national flag and the naiionsl
honor. JOHN j. LENTz.
From all sections the House and
Senate were flooded with similar
kilograms. They came alike to
Democrats and Republicans, and
to men Of all factions. They read
alike. look alike and sound alike.
They bear The unmistskable i'm
press OF having been manufactured
aud as fast as they were received
they were thrown In the waste
basket.
The similarity of the kilograms
that have been coming in is IN the
fact that they all contain the words
firm and WISE used in connec-
ton with the policy Of the Presi-
dent. Instead of changing the
opinion of the two Houses they
have caused vast amount OF indig-
nation, for every man who received
them accepts their receipt as on
intimation against his loyalty and
patriotism. 1t is not improbable
that this resentment may break out
IN debate, for 1t is understood that
Senator Chandler will pay his re
spects to Secretary Porter, who
started this movement, with the
consent and approval of the Presi.
dent.
The Senators who have received
these kilograms are paying abso.
luteiy no attention to their matter,
but vigorously condemn Mr.. Hanna
for his participation in the scheme
and the President for allowing his
secretary 10 50 fiagrantly violate lbs
courtesies that ought TO exist be
tween the executive and Legislative
branches OF the government by
seeking IN this manner TO interfere
with the free exercise OF the judg
ment OF the two Homes OF Congress
10 the credit of the country be it
aid that from every town where
hese pe"ce at any price teleerams
came there came also red hot mes
"ges Of approval Of the course
9nrsued by that element ia both
iouses that has come to be known
8 the 'ln,urgehts."
Senator Foraker received quite a
number of both sorts. and WAS in =
particularly caastic mood last
night. "Here is one message /
have received" he said. (which
urges me to stand by the 6rm and
wise policy Of the President. /
bave wired that gentleman asking
bin to kindly send me some infor.
nation as to what that firm and
wise policy is, for no one IN Wash
iDgton has been able TO discover
what it Is. We have, many Of us,
tried to End ont something on that