The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-03-17
Delegate Hoffackers Letter.

The talk of lobby at Annapolis is heard
whenever the General Assembly Is in session.
The past few weeks several Baltimore papers
by cartoon. insinuation and BY direct charge,
have created an impression thai there Is a
lobby at Annapolis, plentifully supplied with
money TO pursaase votes of members Of the
legislature for or against certain measures.
This impression has been given additional
weight by newspaper interview with Mayor
Hayes. of Baltimore, who strongly lntlmated
a belief 10 the existence of a lobby. A CON
mittee of Investigation was appointed by the
House, and that committee had Mayor Hayes
before them on Wednesday. Ia the mean
time Mayor Hayes got possession Of letter
written by Delegate SaRluel II. Hoffaeker. Of
Carroll, to brother in Baltimore. The
Mayor had it photographed and later furnish
ed copies of It to the Baltimore papers, which
published a fac smile of Mr.. Hofiacker's let
Ter on Thursday. The letter was as follows
House of Delegates,
Annapolis. March 9th, 1900.
Mr. John W. Hohaeker:
Dear bro-Your letter received Will say
have bin well, there has been quite large
delegations visiting US today from Baltimore
City the most important one was on the Eiee.
trieal Subway bill. think there might be
considerable amount OF Budel hoting for some
body before the bill is disposed of you might
look up the case and hnd out which way the
wind blows there might be something in it for
as.
if you find anything out Of importance come
dozen or let me know.
Respectfully yours.
S. H. HoFFACKER.
Delegate Hoffacker was summoned before
the investigating committee to testify as 10 his
knowledge of lobby. He acknowledged
the authorship of the letter to his brother,
John II. Hofacker.
Recently my brother wrote to me-" he
testified, .sasking If could receive him in my
room, as during his first and only visit Of the
session. replied that could In bis letter
he asked me, incidentally, what was new.
said, nothing, except that, according to the
newspapers, there was great deal Of money
here for and against some bills. i meant this
statement only as joke, and such, indeed,
intended my letter TO be. i have never had
any idea of doodle or the corrupt use of
money for any purpose. ! know personally
of no lobby, nor have / any personal knowl-
edge that money has been or is being used
improperly. have always maintained that
am a representative Of the people, and not of
any special interests. "
.sWhat did you mean by the sentences in
your letter asking your DrOtner 10 hhu out
what was in the electrical subway bill, etc.f'
asked Mr. Stewart, of the committee.
.fNothing."
''Have you any knowledge of the existence
of lobby here r.
'sNo, sir"
HAS anybody ever approached you TO in
fuence your vote by use Of money!"
s'No, sir.
"Where did you secure your information
that there is lobby here ~
SIN the newspapers, and especially in an
afternoon newspaper"
MAYOR HAYES KNOWLEDGE.
When Mayor Hayes was questioned by the
committee as to the existence Of a lobby.
The following questions and answers, give a
good idea of his whole testimony, and shows
that his opinion as to lobby was based upon
common rumor only:
Mr. Waller-Haye you any personal knowl-
edge that money has been used?
Mr. Hayes have not, sir.
Mr. Waller-Woud you mind stating your
reasons for declining to give the names of the
lobbyists to whom you referred?
Mr.. Hayes do not. | have no evidence
to confirm me in my suspicious and | do not
think it fair to them to mention their names
and implicate them in this matter when
have no evidence.