The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-21
Interesting Letter
from Z. B. Sfdrges


liOllt l.. -. SlulyCo
Editor of The Tribune
Sir: have neither time nor inclination TO
trouble the public press any further than the
work Of the Municipal league makes necessary
But the editorial in today's Tribune contains
suggestive statements that raise an immediate
issue. Has the league hereafter to fight not
only boodlcrs and law.breakers, but also the
papcrs that are supposed to represent the better
element of our society! You say that ''tor some
months there have been indications that the
league was not so well advised as to the legal
conditions and methods OF attaining its ends as
it. should be in order to preserve its movement
from danger OF forfeiture Of public confidence
when it is remembered that bribery is probably
the most difficult crime TO prove, the results
already obtained certainly have been marked.
large percentage Of our councils have resigned,
giving our people at least the opportunity TO
put better men in their places II they have
not done so the league is not responsible. How
many guilty ones will be hereafter convicted
depends upon our juries; and for that also the
league is not responsible. We are simply making
an effort. at great personal sacrifice OF time ana
| money, 10 make our city better
| As soon az a number Of the bribe.takers had
| been corncrcd papers began, almost with
| out exception, 10 insist that the bribe'giNers'
| should he prosecuted. Several OF the councilmen
| also made the same claim, stating in some cases,
| at least, that they had only yielded after re-
peatgd solicitations to take money that was
| sorcly needed This position the league felt
| was right and in accordance with its original
| plans. So the pursuit Of other bribetakers and
| also OF the equally guilty bribe gvcrs was taken
| up, and Just here seems To be the point where
our bad advice" must have developed. But 10
| and Behold. Men who had acknowledged their
| guilt, and accepted the mercy OF the league,
| became absolutely ignorant, when called to iur-
| nish evidence against those who had tempted
| them In some eases witnesses would leave
my office, agreeing to tell the whole truth, and
| forget it, all, when called on the stand THIS
| was surprising but not altogether unexpected.
| It added greatly to the difficulty OF our worh,
| and made it far moro expensive. But we dill
| assume that in our ctiorts we had behind us the
| sympathy OF the honest part of the community,
| rich or poor, and OF the newspapers that repre-
| sent them. 1t looks now very much as II the
| moment we get rear the hribcgvers we are TO
| have not only the dishonest elements TO fight,
but a part OF the press.
| Your remarks as to the leagues treatment o:
| General Manager Weyldnd' apparently notify us
OF The nibunc's future position. What are the
facts? Who has smirched him? Mr.. Wcyland,
when called as witness, repeatedly refused Ia
| answer questions, on the ground that it would
| iucrmnatc himself, and has been indicted
| therefor Mr.. Griiiths sworc positively that
wcyland had personally paid him sum OF
| money before the new telephone ordinance went
| through his council. The use of the word "preS'
| ent" surely blinds no one. The assistant cashier
of the Second National bank of Wilkes Barre
testified that his bank discounted u note for So,
OOO for the Lackawanna Telephone company Just
four days before the ordinance finally passed tho
select council (wherc most Of the money was
uscd). lie also told Mr.. Torrey in my presence
that the proceeds Of the note were handed tC
Weyand. and substantially testified to that fac,
on the stand. Mr.. Wcyland aud Judge Levi,
both testified that the Lackawanna Telephon,
cumpGny was not cXpcndng any large sums o
money tor construction at that time, and VIC al
know this to hc the case The testimony o
| Mr Billings was not pertinent TO this spccia
(Gnfftls) case under the evidence, rs adduccd
and rather than have any doubtful holding over
the representative of the league asked that Mr.
Wcyland be discharged. II is not at all certain
that the evidence against him was not sulh
Cicnt. But at least, the generous treatment III
received at the hands Of the league should no
be used against them. Evidently We are ''gct
ting close to the quick" hut, according TO Tn
Tribune, must not only be "smG Of our law an,
sure Of the evidence" but reasonably swc q
the Jury" before we are allowed TO go on, an
expose this fostering mass Of corruption. Ilo,
much chance of punishment would there ever b
under such restrictions.
No ] want 10 give notice that VIC arc goni
right on aud shall do the best We can to clea
M our City, and make il better and Cheapc
and safe place OF residence for rich men an
poor alike. My own time lor this work will h
necessarily short. as | do not feel that | ca
. L. t,N., u, q,
: who will probably be tried by jurics that [ hcl
select. But | started in with the dctcrminatio
to assist in making our city aud county better
or to leave 1t. The latter alternative would 10
be a matter of great Importance to any one bl
) myself But | DO not propose TO walow in an
p such mass Of corruption and lawlcSsuess as Scrar
ton was fostering and fostering in a year age
And | maintain that whoever carries on III
work is entitled to the moral support OF ever
= law.abiding and truth,loNnE citizen, and OF Ii
decent press
While | am writing, please allow me TO fnisl
1 as I shall not trouble you again, no matter wh'
be the provocation,
y Your editorial on Wade Finn is another "straw
showing which way the wind blows. Mr. Finn
no sunday school superintendent and profess
no superior moral tone; but the people Of Spra
ton will yet learn that they are greatly ndcbtt
90 him for any Improvement that may folio
the present movement. Neither our defective
nor our witnesses have ever found place whc
4 Wade Finn has ever accepted one dollar for h
% vote or influence. On the contrary, We shi
n show, at the proper time, that he has dccln,
large offers from some OF those who are no
I irving the Cuttle.fsh tactics on him. In at lea
u one Of the two instances as TO which he h
s given testimony he promptly reported the who
. transaction, in the hope OF saving expense
~, | the city His position in the Mayor Bailey ma
" ter is shown by the fact that he consequent
10 aud to the end opposed the asphalt contract, al
: voted against IT, You seem 10 have words
. commendation for the men who after conm
:, ing perjury at last acknowledged in part. the
" ofcuscs That is right. You have no words
condemnation ior' those who, having confess