The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-25

sent from the methods Of the Mlssou-
rians left in charge OF the Democratic
machinery last summer has been given
by Chairman James X. Jones. While
Mr.. Jones was in Europe, William ].
stone. the acting chairman, and Sam b.
Cook. representing ways and COM
mittee, put into the field number OF
canvassers to obtain money. These
canvassers are stlll at work drumming
up subscriptions.
one Of them, Richard S. Slater, for
mer newspaper man In Kansas City,
called upon Senator Jones one day this
week. He has been laboring for con-
trlbutlons In New York. It occurred to
him that with credentials from Senator
Jones in the form Of letters of intro
duetion he might land some big con-
tributions from wealthy Democrats. To
the Mlssourlan's surprise he was not
only refused the letters. but was given
in a decided manner the senator's dis
approval Of the plan Of Stone and Cook.
Chairman Jones said it was a waste
Of effort and OF expense money TO soh-
cit contributions. as the money would
come as well without. The chairman
even went so far as to discharge of
hand the AIlssourian from the service
Of the national committee. He intI-
mated that he would shortly take
charge Of the ways and means COM
nlttee. Sam 3. Cook. the report is, will
resign as the result OF the chairman's
reputation Of his methods.
The interview between Chairman
Jones and Slater brought out some
things about the ways and means of
Stone and Cook which will occasion as
constituent. The revelations may lead
to an open rupture between Jones and
the MIssourians. The language and the
manner Of the senator showed that he
was greatly aroused over the discover
les he had made. 1t seems that Stone
and Cook commissioned canvassers to
20 out with credentials from the Ma
tional Democratic committee and gave
them 12h per cent OF what they coll
lected.
slater was sent to New York. He
came TO Washington without any idea
Of the storm impending. After some
dificulty Senator Jones was found in
the conference room at the senate. Sla-
ter had been pretty successful In his
efforts among New York Democrats
He had collected enough to make his
percentage amount to several thou
sand dollars. He felt that he had done
well for the national committee and ex-
pected commendation from the chair
man.
my name is Slater he said, when
he had gained the notice Of Senator
Jones'
"The hi 1T is?" replied the senator,
in a tone which was not pleasant.
YES" said Slater.
Are you that man from Kansas
city," pursued the senator. with in
creaslng emphasis.
Slater owned up.
We'll" said the senator, ~ have
been looking over some papers relat-
ing to what you have been doing in
New York. ] see you have called on
o. H. p. Belmont and have obtained a
subscription from him Of $4,000. You
are to have a commission of 12ik per
cent on the subscriptions you get. 1t
is wholly unnecessary to go to such men
for subscriptions. They will make their
contributions without any canvassing.
EHRdIu IL Hb a Nd1ke VI IllbIlEg AOI inc
committee 10 pay this commission on
such subscriptions. propose TO put
a stop to such business. Will cay
right here that the committee has no
further need OF your services. You
can consider yourself discharged"
The manner could hardly have been
more disagrecable. Slater was assist
ant secretary Of the Democratic CEN
trail committee OF Missouri under Sam
Cook in 1888. He was appointed TO do
this work b. Stone while the latter was
acting as chairman during Jones' alb
sence In Europe. The action OF the
senator could only be construed as n
reflection upon Stone and Cook and
their 1919 per cent contract.
This seems to be the rupture to
which developments have been tending
ever since the return OF Jones from
Europe. Stone was made acting chair
man OF the National Democratic com
mIttee when Jones was Frustrated with
an attack Of heart trouble. from which
he was not expected to recover. The
resolution was peculiarly wordcd II
made Stone chairman with full power
during the absence Of Jones.
At the very FIRST meeting OF the exec
utiVe committee after Stone took
charge and announced his plans an In
situation OF trcachcry toward Bryan
was made against him. George Fred
Williams, the Massachusetts member.
went direct from Chicago. the place OF
meeting, to the Atlantic coast. took a
steamer and did not stop travelling I'M
til he had found Jones and laid before
him the charges against stone Jones
did not wait 10 send u letter. He ca
bled Stone 20 suspend further action
until he heard from him. Stone obey
cd, but he had already arranged for
certain canynsslng to be done, and that
went on
When Jones returned he began the
undoing Of stones work. Sam Cook
Is TO resign and 70 back 10 Missouri.
Tho dismissal Of Slater. together with
the exposure OF the 1919 per cent bust
ness, IL the most serious repudlntion Of
Stone by Jones How many canvass
ers have been going about with the
credentials pf Stone and Cook, putting
one-elghth Of all Of the money received
into their own pocket ls unknown. But
In going over tha records N the com
rnlttee Chairman Jones. who Is Ordi-
nariy mild-manuered man. had
found enough Of this business TO excite
great indignation toward the Missouri
ians. a Wholesale discharge OF AN
CanVas8ers IN probable
Regarding the Belmont subscription
which Slater obtained. II ~ said that
$4,000 hHs already been paid md SIC, 900
~ In promises Mr.. Belmont is the
financial bncNrr OF The Verdict. aud
hrs been much talked Of IA a vice
presidential candidate. II VIII be- re-
mcmbcrcd that .. II. p Belmont waE a
conspicuous figure with Bryan ~ the
dollar dinner given BIZ the Jefferson