The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-22
Senate Will Appoint Com
mittee to Investigate
Mr.. F0rd's Charges.
HIS SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS.
Says the Detective Permits
Violations OF the Law
and Receives Hush
Money. Ready
to Defend
HIS STATEMENTS In COURT.

aYalnSt Cne conHfmatl0n OF Barnaru j
McVoy's appointment as state detectiv
to succeed himself, was fought on the foo
of the Senate this afternoon in tho pre-
sence of the members OF both Houses ant
the largest number Of spectators that ha
graced the Senate chamber ut this session
1t was a three round fight which ended Ii
the holding up OF McVcy's confirmation
much 20 the surprise Of Mr.. Ford's mum
81 rous friends and many Republicans VIII,
had expected to sse Mr. MvVey prompt.
defeated.
Mr.. Ford did not attack Mr.. McVey'i
reputation as a detective, but he very sue
cessfully assailed his personal character
and because of short comlngs in 1t hoped tt
Impress the members OF the Senate that "A
man who would use language unbocola'
ing private citizen, much less an office
in high and important position was no
fitted for any position within tho gift o
the people or their chief executive
The Senate went In session at o'clock fol
the purpose Of hearing the charge against
Mr.. McNey and Immediately after Pre5i'
dent Salmons declared the session ready
for business Mr.. Ford took the floor. Di.
rectly in front of him and at the side oil
Senator Pyle sat Mr.. McVey who NOR:
than once smarted under the scathing per
sonal rebukes piled upon him. Any man
would hnv3 suffered the same for Mr..
Ford's charges were couched in smartlng
terms,
He accused Mr.. McVey of impericction
of character in the u,e of profanity which
had hacn directed at Mr. Ford most pro-
fusely; of arresting innocent men; of fail
ing to pay his just debts. OF exacting from
them in business conducted in violation
of the law; of crimes against the ballot;
and many other offensos of similar
character.
1t has been said that appear hero this
afternoon to oppose Mr. McVey because
If personal motives but do not want to
impress you that way, said Mr.. Ford in
beginning his talk. "Whatever my motive
may bo is of no concern tU the members of
this Honorable body. Tho question is
whether this man is competent to hold
under his thumb a position which involves
the life and liberty of the people Of this
state. don't disclaiIn personal animus,
however. lam not here to oppose Bernard
j. McVey as a citizen but Bernard J. Nc
Vey as detective"
Then Mr.. Ford proceeded to reterate q
string of abuse which had been hsaped
upon him by Mr.. McVey. but had the
arrogance to believe that my character was
sufficient safeguard that wasn't a man
to be hurt by such remarks. have yet to
see the day when have to lower my head
for this man or men" thundered Mr..
Ford
Referring to tho political issues of the
fight, Mr.. Ford said Mr.. McVoy had CIR
culated rumors that he, McNey, had de-
feated Mr., Ford in a district of the city of
Wilmington where McVey had never been
accused of having influence. 'To dis.
abuse your minds Of this idea' said Mr..
Fcrd, when ran for the highest Office in
the gift Of the people OF this state l had
tho support Of the entire convention, with
the exception of one district and which
was not McVey's.
''It was Mr.. MCVoy's duty then as an
officer or individual to oppo,e me, but it
was not Mr.. McVey's duty as paid oilic-
ial of this state, care taker of public NOR.
ais, peace and liberty OF this people to 60
around me and around my city and oponly
abus, me. But /. did not lesson the opln
ion of mo one iota 1 can provo by tho
most respectable citizens of Wilmington
that this man has invariably attacked me
with such vile expressions as there goes
thc-who wants to be governor Of this
state. To give you another faint concep.
ton Of the character of this man l will re-
peat several remarks. which am not nc-
customed to making At this point Mr..
Ford requested the newspaper men to
make no record of his remarks as they
concerned brother.
Continuing Mr.. Ford said I am loathe
to attack this man but he has forced the
issue. He has lad no mcrcy on minc al
though the damage was nothing and there
fore l will have none for him.
"This man stands unified because he
won't pay for the very broad he puts In his
mouth, and by the officers above him am
prepared to prove that he was ordered to
pay a widow for the milk which ho drank
Now what other conditions confront
you? A prominent business man of the
city informs ms that if this man is reap
pointed he v i'll be ruined. His life would
be miserable, and this is the character of
the man that asks your approval of his
appointment.
"Going into The political affairs OF the
city Of Wilmington will relateas best !
can what the conditions are. propose to
prove that this man is guilty of dobasing
the ballot Of the city Of Wilmington. l am
speaking inside the party of which am q
member. To show you to what extent no
carries out the prerogatives his position
gives him several years ago he was oppos-
ell to a Mr.. Jones will say. Tho inspector
Of the election district was presumed TO DO
favorable to Mr.. Jones. McVey becoming
Informed of position remarked, Il will
make him como down or l will pinch
him."
"N hat is the Inference, my frlsndsf At
the time l had never heard of aught
against Mr. Jones. He might have boon
guilty Of murder or he might not have
been guilty Of any offense Yet this man
McNey held the threat over Jones head
like club to coerce him into committing
u crime against this state. These, and
other mon cana to mo and asked for pro-
tection and replied do your duty, and
Mr. McVey or no one else will put you IN
prison for SO doing
IN making these statements hold my
Gelf both financially and physically re-
sponsible," declared Mr. Ford. "He knows
my attacks are not groundlass, He knows
thele Is court Of thisto state which Lam