The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-22
QUAY'S LUCKY DAY
Acquitted Of Charge
Of Disappointing
State Funds.
APPOINTE EX-SENATOR
History of the Peoples
Bank Case Which End
ed Yesterday.

Philadelphia, April 21.-Matthew
Stanley Quay was declared to be not
guilty of the charge of conspiring to
use for his own unlawful gain and
profit the funds of the state of Penn
sylvania deposited in the Peoples Bank
of this city. At the time the jury filed
into their places there were compare
lively few people in the court room
There was an attempt at demonstra-
ton. but this was sternly repressed by
the court officers The officers were
unable. however, to keep back those
who struggled to get to Senator Quay
and congratulate him. Chairs were up
set. tables were brushed aside and hats
We're smashed by the onrushing crowd.
Senator Quay, with broad smile on
his face. responded pleasantly to the
greetings and congratulations of those
who crowded around.
Senator Quay walked with his friends
to the office of his counsel, where he
made his escape from the crowd. 1t
is understood that he will at once join
his family in Washington, and will
probably so away for long rest.
Four ballots were taken by the jury
before the final decision was reached.
The first ballot stood 10 to 2 for ac-
quittal; the next two stood IL to l.
Immediately on receipt Of the news
that Quay was acquitted of the charges
against him, Gov. Stone appointed him
United States senator to fill the va
cancy until the next legislature meets,
and notified Vice President Hobart as
follows:
"Sir-By virtue of the power vested
in me as executive of the state of
Pennsylvania, under article first, clause
two. section three of the constitution
of the United States, I hereby make
temporary appointment of the Hon.
Matthew Stanley Quay to be United
States senator from Pennsylvania I'M
til the next meeting of the Pennsylva-
mia legislature, to fill the vacancy now
existing in this state.
Very respectfully,
William A. Stone,
Governor of Pennsylvania"
Gov. Stone said that in appointing
Col. Quay he felt that he had done the
fit and proper thing. He thought it
would make the issue and it was bet
Ter done now than to wait for weeks.
The authority mentioned by the gov
eInor, says the governor of any state
may make temporary appointment
during a recess to hold until the next
legislature meets. This interpretation
is disputed by those who say that the
vacancy did not occur during a recess,
but while the legislature was in ses-
sion. Mr.. Quay's 1cquittal in Phila-
delphia and his appointment to tine
United States senatOrship created the
greatest excitement IL political circles
here, The friends of Quay are wild
with glee, and say he has achieved two
triumphs now that must certainly re-
act in his favor.
The charges against Senator Quay
followed the collapse of hte Peoples
Bank in March, 1898, and the examin-
alton of its books by a receiver. The
warrants were issued in the following
October, and included besides those Of
Mr.. Quay and his son. the names of
Charles H. Mckee a Pittsburg law
yer, and ex-State Treasurer Benjamin
j. Haywood On Nov. 81 the grand jul
ry found true bills against all but Mr.
Mckee. The indictments were five in
number. These were reduced to four
by the death of Mr. Haywood, Feb. %,
of this year
One week after true bills had been
found, counsel for Mr. Quay and the
other defendants filed demurrers to
four of them and moved to quash the
fifth. Judge Finletter, Dec. l last, de-
cided against the defendants. Counsel
then carried the case to the supreme
court, on the plea, among other con-
-tentions, that the prosecution was ac-
tuated by political motives, which
would prevent an impartial trial in this
county The supreme court decided to
interfere. The trial was set for Feb
ruary 20, and was postponed until the
9th, when it was again postponed I'M
til Monday of last week.