Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-03-30
THOSE BRIBERY CASES.
Fresh Developments of Daily 0c-
currence at the Hearings
-. -, at Harrisburg.
GETTING CLOSE TO oUAY's PEOPLE

mittee Places If lie Could Help the
"Old Mau''-Racy cyReveiationsAmone
the Republicans The Democracy
Standing Firm I'm Their Allegiance to
Jenks-DeveIopment Expected This
Week.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg, March 27.-The claim set
up by the Quayites. in derision at the
work Of the investigating committee.
that only Democrats had been enmeshed
IN its tolls was proven groundless during
the week just closed Ex-senator John
j. Coyle Republican, and one of the
most noted of the Quay lobby, was on
the stand in his own defense. -Four
reputable members had charged him with
offering them bribes. AS was expected
Coyle denied everything.
On last Thursday night Representative
Robert McCay Foster, Democrat from
Center county, went on the stand and
surprised everybody by declaring that
had he voted for Senator Quay he might
have been placed on the soldiers or
phans' school commission and the ap
preparations committee. Mr.. Fosters
story was to the effect that having been
member of the appropriations commit
tee last year and of the soldiers or
phans' school commission he desired to
be retained as member of both of
them the present term. He first went to
Senator David Martin, of Philadelphia,
who was supposed to be very close to
Speaker Farr. Mr.. Martin agreed to do
what he could for Mr.. Foster, but sub
sequently he told him that it would be
impossible for him to aid him.
WAS QUAY'S LIEUTENANT.
Several evenings after someone, he had
forgotten whom. told him that Frank
Willing Leach, one of Senator Quay'S
lieutenants, was the man to see for
places. He called on Mr.. Leach and told
him what he wanted. The interview did
not amount to much but some days later
u note was brought to Mr.. Foster in his
seat i'll the house, asking him to come
to the speakers room, that Mr.. Leach
desired to see him. The note was from
the latter. He went and Mr. Leach
opened the conversation by asking Fos-
ter what he could do for the old man..
Then Mr.. Leach went on to say that
despite the claims of prominent Republi-
cans, Quay could not be elected except
by Democratic votes Although the stand
ing committee had been appointed by the
speaker, he Leach would hold the places
open for two weeks to give Foster Il
chance to act. Leach said that while it
was popularity supposed that Speaker
Farr made up the standing committees,
yet he Leach, was the man who did the
appointing. He would hold up the places
desired for two weeks and his action
would be guided by the action of Mr..
Foster.
To the credit and honor of Democracy
Foster retorted by saying that he had
agreed with his constituents to vote fol
a Democrat as long as there was ole in
the field, and that when there was not
one, he would vote for any reputable Re
publican other than NJ. S. Quay. Under
the circumstances he would accept moth
ing and Leach had nothing to give thai
he would take. That ended the conyer
sation and from that day Leach ant
Foster have not spoken.
an extension of time until April 3. Thi,
week it is expected that there will be
some very important evidence furnished
After severe fight, in which all of tn,
opposition came from the Quay factor
and the support from the Democrats ant
independent Republicans. a resolution
was passed. authorizing the investigat
ing committee to call the members o
ho aln hot
them what they knew of attempted
bribery. The call is still going on. Up I,
the present there having been 90 mem
hers subpoenaed. The bribery sensation
of course, is the principal topic Of inter
est in this city.
SENATORIAL SITUATION.
The senatorial situation has moi
changed, but a change is looked for thi,
week. 1t will not come from the Demo
cratic side because they are pledged tt
Hon. George A. jerks. Colonel James
NJ. Guffey, national committeeman, who
has with such conspicuous skill ant
diplomacy directed the conduct of the
party's affairs here in Harrisburg am
over the state since the opening of tn,
legislature, has not ordered any change
in the Democratic program and NJ
change is anticipated. Colonel Guffcy
was here again last week, looking ovel
the field and taking a personal lnteres
in the situation. Never in the history OF
the Democratic party has any leader
identified himself so closely with the
rank and file, or manifested such per
sonal interest in the individual welfare
of every member
There is great deal OF interest
awakened over the Democratic state
craftsmanship. There are all sorts OF
rumors afoat, but nobody cares to talk
Even Colonel Guffey will not discuss the
question, except with his personal
friends and the men in whom he re.