Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-11-28
Thomas w. Lawson Tells the Story in "Fren-
zied Finance"
Story of the Bribery of the Massachusetts Leg
islature, as Told in Everybody's Maya
zine by the Millionaire Author OF
"Frenzed Finance" How
Such Things Are Done.

Corrupting legislature is not some.
thing man NAV do with flip of his
finger and thumb. However bold the
operations the convenances must be OBJ
cerved. When really large designs are
entertained, the manipulation begins be-
fore the preceding election and has h I'd
his lawyers" at work throughout the
country, seeing candidates and ascertain
ing their feelings. SO certain percent
age of votes are signed and sealed in adj
vance, ready for delivery at the proper
time. But there is always a crowd OF
new men who must be taken care OF on
the spot, and these must De approached
with tact. Some amateurs have fanatical
notions of honor which interfere with
both their own and the interests Of fran
chise-grabbers. To deal with all these
contingencies, to take care Of captured
votes and to shape legislative proceed.
irgs along safe lines. require the services
OF almost an army OF men.
At the head of Whitney's forces was
his lawyer, George II. Towle, big of
brain, ponderous of frame, and with the
strength OF an OK. A man of terrific
temper, he knew not the meaning Of the
word fear. Nothing aroused him to such
frenzy as to have to do with legislator
who unnecessarily haggled over the
price of his vote or influence. On such
occasions, when lieutenant had report
ed that Senator This or Representative
That would not come into camp, Towie,
with an oath, would simply say: "Take
me to him, and III have his vote in ten
minutes or there'l be occasion for new
election in his district tomorrow !"
Second in command was Mr.. Patch,
Iowle's secretary and factotum, his
exact opposite in every way. Where
Towle was brutally straight to the point,
Mr., Patch was rs smooth an intriguer as
ever connected himself with secrets by
way Of keyholes and transoms. 1t is a
Beacon Hill tradition that for years
rowle Ga final payment day would have
the members OF the Massachusetts legis-
loture march through his private Offices
one at a time, and handing each OF them
their loot, would proclaim: "Well,
you're settled with in full, aren't you?
| That represents your vote on - and
on -" Then he would loudly identify
the bill and the particulars OF the SER
vice, while behind partition with
stenographer would be Mr.. Patch, who
after the notes had teen written out
would witness the accuracy OF the
stenographer's report. When the legisla-
ture assent led again, old mem bers, the
same story goes, would be requested to
call on TowIe TO renew acquaintanceship.
Then he would allow them to look over
his memoranda "just to keep 'em from
being too proud" as he gently phrased it.
Subordinate to Towle ami Patch was a
long line of eminently respectable law
yers known all over the Commonwealth
as "Whitney's attorneys. These men
participated at nominations, grated at
elections, and took care Of the finer pre-
liminary details. The first line OF attack
was composed of practical politicians Of
various grades-ex- senators or repre-
sentatives, and local bosses, who were
known as "Whitney's right.hand men,"
Below these were the ordinary lobbyists,
the detectives, and runners, who kept
'tabs" on every move and deed, day
and night, OF the members of the legisla-
ture. This was the Whitney machine,
and it worked together with solidity
and evenness which can only be attained
with lots OF practice and much success.
In comparison with this competent
organization, an average "Tammany
Gang" Chicago Combine" or "St.
Louis Syndicate" would look like
broken-down snow-plough in August.
1t is seldom the public is given an OPP
portunity Of seeing a picture erawn to
lie, OF the legislature of one of the great.
est states in the Union in the act of be.
ing bribed to grant the votaries OF "fren-
zied finance" for nothing, those things
which should and do belong to the peo-
pie, and for which the systems votaries
would willingly pay millions Of dollars if
they were compelled to. l shall dwell
on the performance that ensued at this
ljuncture OF my story long enough to pre-.
sent an outline Of the process.